HC Deb 20 January 2003 vol 398 cc170-1W
Norman Baker

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the advantages of subdividing the south-east region so that Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey comprise one new region. [91534]

Mr. Leslie

The current regional boundaries are now the most widely accepted and used regional boundaries. A large number of regional bodies, including the Government Offices, Regional Development Agencies and other parts of Central Government, operate to these boundaries, and all regions now have recognised voluntary regional chambers. The current regions are of a sufficient spatial and demographic size to support the work of these organisations.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister believes that any debate on regional boundaries would generate no obvious prospect that more practicable or more widely acceptable boundaries would result.