§ Brian Cotter:To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the Broadband Fund has been allocated to (a) each regional development agency and (b) each devolved administration. [141604]
§ Mr. Timms:The UK Broadband Fund was allocated from a formula based on the number of residents who did not yet have affordable access to broadband services. It was allocated as follows:
£ million East of England 3.22 East Midlands 2.09 London 0.113 North East 1.46 North West 2.68 South East 2.90 South West 3.78 West Midlands 2.10 Yorkshire and the Humber 3.10 Northern Ireland 1.46 Scot land 4.40 Wales 2.67
§ Brian Cotter:To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times the joint DTI and Defra Rural Broadband Team has met since its inception; and what meetings they have held with outside bodies. [141605]
§ Mr. Timms:The joint DTI and Defra Rural Broadband Team has been working together in the same office premises since May 2003. The team has met a 102W wide range of outside bodies including Regional Development Agencies, Devolved Administrations, Government Offices, Countryside Agency, Country Land and Business Association, British Chambers of Commerce, Ruralnet, local government and councils, community broadband groups, social enterprises and broadband and ICT companies.