§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the(a) cost was in 2003 and (b) projected cost is over the next three years of staffing and infrastructure for each of the eight regional assemblies; and how each is funded. [166893]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Regional Chambers are voluntary bodies and not agencies or arms of the Government. They have specific responsibilities that are supported through the provision of Government grant, including: scrutiny of the work of the Regional Development Agency; acting as the Regional Planning Body; and the development and articulation of a representative regional voice.
For the financial years 2003–2004 and 2004–2005 the levels of grant allocated to each Chamber are set out in the following table:
Grant £ Chamber 2003–04 2004–05 East of England 1,874,000.00 2,112,000.00 East Midlands 1,631,000.00 2,056,000.00 North East 1,408,000.00 1,708,000.00 North West 1,837,000.00 2,536,000.00 South East 2,186,000.00 3,280,000.00 South West 1,613,000.00 2,101,000.00 West Midlands 1,671,000.00 2,071,000.00 Yorkshire and the Humber 1,655,000.00 1,923,000.00 Total 13,875,000.00 17,787,000.00 Grant allocations for future years have not yet been agreed. In regions where elected regional assemblies are set up, the designated responsibilities of the Regional Chamber will pass to the new assembly, and Government grant will cease to be made to the Chamber.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold information on the staffing and infrastructure costs incurred by each Chamber.
Some Chambers also receive funding from other sources within the region, including their constituent local authorities, through their payment of membership subscriptions.