Written question asked by Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 April 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 May 2006. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Thursday, 4 May 2006 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Assisted Area Status

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at what stage his Department's consultation on which areas will be covered by assistedarea status is; and what representations he has received in favour of maintaining the status quo in Merseyside.

Answer: On 15 February 2006, the Department for Trade and Industry invited responses to the first stage of the Assisted Area Review by 19 April. These responses are currently being assessed and the government's response to the first stage of the consultation will be published this summer when stage 2 is launched. We received a total of 203 written replies within the deadline and almost all addressed the extent to which Merseyside and South Yorkshire should be covered.

Secondary information