HC Deb 10 March 2004 vol 418 cc1525-6W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will answer the question tabled by the hon. Member for North Essex on 10 February, reference 155144, on elected regional assemblies; and what has delayed his response. [159828]

Mr. Raynsford

The relevant question was answered on 4 March 2004,Official Report,column 1106W.

It will be for the Elected Regional Assembly in each of the three regions to decide on how best to meet its long-term accommodation requirements, including location.

In reaching a decision on any initial temporary accommodation which may be required once an Elected Regional Assembly is in place, the Government will consult the regional chambers in the north-east, northwest and Yorkshire and the Humber.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many regional assembly members would be elected by(a)a the first-past-the-post system and (b)the additional member system in each of the regions where the Government propose to establish elected regional assemblies. [159830]

Mr. Raynsford

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister laid out in the White Paper, "Your Region, Your Choice", published May 2002 that the electoral system for the regional assemblies would be the additional member system. This will mean that two thirds of the members in each region will be elected as constituency members, and one third will be top-up regional list members. Each region will have between 25–35 members in total.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the number of assembly members for the proposed elected regional assemblies in the north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber will be determined. [159831]

Mr. Raynsford

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced in the White Paper, "Your Region, Your Choice", published in May 2002, that each assembly will have between 25 and 35 members.

Section 21 of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003 requires the Secretary of State to direct the Electoral Commission to advise him. The topics on which advice can be requested are listed and include the number of electoral areas that an assembly should have. The Act requires that this direction be made no later than two years after a yes vote is gained in a referendum.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the constituencies for regional assembly members elected by the first-past-the-post system would be in(a)the north-east, (b)the north-west and (c)Yorkshire and the Humber. [159832]

Mr. Raynsford

Two thirds of the members in each region will be elected by regional constituencies under the first-past-the-post system, while the other third will be elected as "top-up" list members under the Additional Member System.

Section 21 of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003 requires the Secretary of State to direct the Electoral Commission to advise him. The topics on which advice can be requested are listed and include the electoral areas for the assembly. The Act requires that this direction be made no later than two years after a yes vote is gained in a referendum.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether administrative cost savings consequent on the change in status of local government in North Yorkshire in the event of the establishment of a Regional Assembly would be deducted from future funding allocations to the county. [159196]

Mr. Raynsford

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be discussing how to treat the costs and potential savings of reorganisation with local government. A working group has been established to look at costs and the wider practical implications of reorganisation. Its first meeting took place on 9 March.