Written question asked by Nicholas Winterton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 15 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 November 2000. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 November 2000 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 measures his Department is taking to co-ordinate Government policy for rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the Rural White Paper. - Inc ref to Cm4909 White Paper "Our countryside: the future" copy in library.

Answer: Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department is taking to co-ordinate Government policy for rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the Rural White Paper. [139200] Mr. Meacher: The Cabinet Committee on Rural Affairs already has the remit of co-ordinating the Government's policies affecting rural areas. Its tasks include looking at the policies of all Departments so as to ensure that they take account of their impact on rural areas and that they work as effectively as they can together to support rural life. The White Paper "Our countryside: the future, A fair deal for rural England" published yesterday sets out the measures we are taking to underpin the work of the Cabinet Committee to ensure effective implementation of the Government's policies for rural areas.

Secondary information