§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to abolish the Countryside Agency; and if she will make a statement. [138958]
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§ Alun MichaelThere will be a continued need for the functions which the Countryside Agency performs. I refer my hon. friend to the written ministerial statement of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 11 November, in which she announced the intention to create an integrated agency incorporating some elements of work currently undertaken by the Countryside Agency, and to focus delivery on others in partnerships with regional development agencies, local government and the voluntary sector in order to provide the best services to rural communities.
The Countryside Agency will continue with a new, well focused role which we will discuss with the Agency and others over the next few months.
§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the future of the Countryside Agency Headquarters in Cheltenham. [138913]
§ Alun MichaelNo decisions have been taken yet on the future structure of the Countryside Agency beyond what the Secretary of State announced on 11 November. We will work closely with the Countryside Agency as we develop more detailed proposals, and intend to give more details in the spring.