§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the powers of the regional chambers in the three northern regions of England to express opinions, publicise those opinions and otherwise campaign, in relation to the establishment of elected regional assemblies in their regions or of one or other system of local government reorganisation in any part of their areas; and to spend money in so doing. [HL3512]
§ Lord RookerThe Government believe that regional chambers are entitled to take a view on their preferred outcome to a referendum on moving to elected regional assemblies, and to report that view. They may also take steps to raise awareness of what would be at issue in a referendum, including the reorganisation of local government that would be involved. But their funding agreement with the Government prohibits the use of central government money for active campaigning for a particular outcome to a referendum on elected regional assemblies and restructuring of local government.
Use by regional chambers of subscriptions from local authorities is a matter between the chamber and the local authorities concerned. The latter will need to have regard to the code of practice on local government publicity.
§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether and when the regional chamber will cease to exist in an English region in which an elected regional assembly is set up. [HL3513]
§ Lord RookerExisting regional chambers are designated under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 to scrutinise the activities of the regional development agencies and appointed as regional planning bodies. Both functions would pass to an elected regional assembly; the regional development agency would be directly accountable to an elected regional assembly. Existing designations would be revoked.