§ Andrew RosindellTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will estimate the cost of(a) setting up and (b) the annual manning of a regional assembly. [141721]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe information is as follows:
(a) The actual cost of setting-up an elected regional assembly will vary from region to region, mainly because of the different sizes of their electorates and membership. It is expected to be around £30 million in each region. This estimate includes all costs necessary to establish an assembly, including the cost of referendums, local government reviews and the first elections.
(b) The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister estimates that each assembly would cost around £25 million a year to run. But £5 million of this cost will be directly offset because staff will be transferring from existing bodies such as the region's Government Office. The remaining costs could be absorbed within the assembly's programme budget through efficiency savings of around 5 per cent. or less in larger regions.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to publish the full list of(a) powers and (b) functions of the proposed regional assemblies. [142567]
§ Phil HopeThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published the Regional Governance White Paper, Your Region, Your Choice Revitalising the English Regions in May 2002. This set out our proposals for elected regional assemblies for regions that chose to have them. The powers and functions of assemblies were set out in full in the White Paper.
The Fire White Paper, "Our Fire and Rescue Service", published in June of this year, announced that responsibility for the fire and rescue service will transfer to a regional level in regions that choose to have an elected assembly.
We hope to publish a draft Bill to establish elected regional assemblies before the referendums take place next autumn in the North East, the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to set a minimum percentage participation threshold in referendums for regional assemblies for the result to be acted upon; and if he will make a statement. [142569]
§ Phil HopeI refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 11 November 2003,Official Report, column 256W.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister in what circumstances the referendums on regional assemblies would be held after October 2004.[142570]
348W
§ Mr. RaynsfordIt is the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's firm intention to hold referendums in the three northern regions in the autumn of 2004. But before that can happen, the Boundary Committee for England must make its recommendations on restructuring the local government of two tier areas in those regions and Parliament must approve Orders under sections 1 and 2 of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003.
Sections 103 and 109 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 mean that there will need to be at least 10 weeks between the Orders being approved and the referendums being held.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he will take to maximise turnout in the proposed regional assembly referendums. [142571]
§ Phil HopeThe regional assembly referendums are being held by all-postal ballot. Recent all-postal ballots pilots in local government elections have produced increased turnout.
The Electoral Commission is empowered under the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003 to encourage voting.
My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government, Regional Governance and Fire launched an information campaign in the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber on the 3 and 4 November. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness of the referendums and the issues around them. Further events will be held over the next year. Referendums websites have been established for each of the regions and copies of our explanatory leaflet will be widely available.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what events he plans to hold in East Lancashire to promote the benefits of a North West Regional Assembly. [142996]
§ Phil HopeMy right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government, Regional Governance and Fire launched the 'Your Say' information campaign for the North West in Warrington on 4 November. This was the start of a continuing information campaign to raise awareness of elected regional assemblies and the responsibilities that they will have, before the referendums.
Ministers will visit the North West, including East Lancashire, to continue this awareness raising information campaign.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects the Electoral Commission to decide on the level of grant to award to designated organisations representing both sides in the regional assembly referendums. [142223]