HC Deb 29 October 2003 vol 412 cc307-9W
Mr. Pickles

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how much the East Midlands Regional Assembly has spent on legal advice since it was established(a) in total and (b) on its incorporation; [134736]

(2) if he will list (a) public relations and communications companies, (b) advertising and marketing companies, (c) management consultancies, (d) accountancy companies, (e) banking firms, (f) individual consultants and (g) other specialist consultancies used by the East Midlands Regional Assembly since June 2001; what services were provided in each case; and what the cost was in each case; [134752]

(3) how many equivalent full-time employees were employed in the East Midlands Regional Assembly (a) when it was established and (b) on 1 May; [134757]

(4) how many publications have been issued by the East Midlands Regional Assembly in each year since its establishment; and what the cost was in each case; [134758]

(5) how many conferences have been organised by the East Midlands Regional Assembly in each year since it was established; and what the cost was in each case; [134759]

(6) many research projects the East Midlands Regional Assembly (a) planned to commission and (b) commissioned in 2002–03; and what the rationale of each project was; [134760]

(7) how many conferences staff of the East Midlands Regional Assembly have attended since the Assembly was established; what the (a) cost and (b) purpose was in each case; and how many were overseas conferences. [134789]

Mr. Raynsford

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The East Midlands Regional Assembly is a voluntary body which receives Government grant. The details of its expenditure is a matter for the Assembly.

Mr. Pickles

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance his Department has given to the East Midlands Regional Assembly on its incorporation. [134750]

Mr. Raynsford

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not given the East Midlands Regional Assembly any guidance on incorporation.

Mr. Pickles

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers his Department has in relation to the operations of the East Midlands Regional Assembly. [134751]

Mr. Raynsford

The East Midlands Regional Assembly is a voluntary body. The only locus the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has is in terms of checking that the assembly's membership is representative of the region, for the purposes of designation and in terms of the funding agreement about its use of Government grant.

Mr. Pickles

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the statutes which govern the operation of the East Midlands Regional Assembly. [134753]

Mr. Raynsford

The East Midlands Regional Assembly is a voluntary body and is not governed by statute.

Mr. Pickles

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what position Mr. Simon Brian holds within the East Midlands Regional Assembly. [134765]

Mr. Raynsford

Mr. Simon Brian is East Midlands Regional Assembly's Communications Manager.

Mr. Pickles

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which organisation audits the accounts of the East Midlands Regional Assembly. [134766]

Mr. Raynsford

Newby Castleman of 22 Park Road, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1TT.