HC Deb 30 January 2004 vol 417 c612W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received from the(a) British chambers of commerce, (b) Confederation of British Industry and (c) Institute of Directors on proposals to establish elected regional assemblies; what response he has made; and if he will place in the Library copies of the exchanges of correspondence on this issue. [151005]

Mr. Raynsford

After the White Paper was published the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister received one response each from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the British Chamber of Commerce. Each received a reply thanking them for their comments.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also received letters from a number of individual chambers of commerce.

It is not the practice to disclose the contents of correspondence by placing it in the Library. However a summary of the responses to the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice" are available in the Library of the House.

Ann Winterton

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the(a) date and (b) venues were of the public consultations on the powers of the proposed regional assemblies for the (i) North West, (ii) North East and (iii) Yorkshire and the Humber. [151889]

Mr. Raynsford

A series of public hearings on the powers of the proposed regional assemblies will take place across the three northern regions. The dates and venues of the hearings have yet to be decided.