Written question asked by Lord Campbell-Savours (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 June 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 July 1999. It was answered by Alan Meale (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 July 1999 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what consultation took place and with which organisations and individuals prior to the North West Development Agency's decision to close the Cockermouth Office of English Partnerships.

Answer: Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultation took place and with which organisations and individuals prior to the North West Development Agency's decision to close the Cockermouth Office of English Partnerships. [88750] Mr. Meale: Decisions on location are a matter for the North West Development Agency. I understand that, in deciding in principle to locate its Area office in Penrith, the Agency took account of a range of factors. The Board reached a decision to locate the Area Office and Headquarters on the M6/West Coast Main Line (in respect of Cumbria and Lancashire); at the interchange of the M6/M62 and West Coast Main Line (Warrington Headquarters and Cheshire Area office) and on the M62/East West Rail Line (Liverpool and Manchester). The Penrith decision flowed from the application of these criteria--particularly the need to have public transport access via rail. There was no general consultation on this specific decision.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 88750; 334 c450W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Closures English Partnerships Public participation Offices Northwest Regional Development Agency Cockermouth