§ Mr. Adrian FlookTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister to which bodies the South West Regional Development Agency is accountable. [103059]
§ Alan JohnsonI have been asked to reply.
The south west of England Regional Development Agency is accountable to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and to Parliament. Under the terms of the Regional Development Agencies Act, 1998, the Agency must also take account of the views of the South West Regional Assembly, which has been formally designated as the regional chamber for the Agency. For the purposes of regional accountability, the Agency is also required to hold a public meeting following publication of its annual report.