§ Mr. SwireTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many representations he has received from Devon constituents in support of plans for an elected regional assembly for the South West. [153075]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister received 11 responses from Devon constituents in support of plans for an elected regional assembly for the South West.
In addition, the Government's soundings exercise, which was held last year, sought to determine the levels of interest in holding a referendum on establishing elected regional assemblies. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister received 61 responses from individuals in Devon, 20 of whom wanted a referendum, 40 of whom opposed such a referendum, and one of whom expressed no opinion. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister believed that there is not a high level of interest in the South West and has not initiated the local authority reviews that are the precursor to a referendum.