Written question asked by Jimmy Wray (Labour) on Monday, 19 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 June 2003. It was answered by Chris Leslie (Labour) on Thursday, 26 June 2003 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the responsibilities are of the Business Co-ordination Unit; and if he will make a statement on its (a) aims and (b) performance since 1997.(Question printed in Daily Part under Ministers previous department following ministerial reshuffle)

Answer: Mr. Wray: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the responsibilities are of the Business Co-ordination Unit; and if he will make a statement on its (a) aims and (b) performance since 1997. [115133] Mr. Leslie: The Business Co-Ordination Unit's primary responsibility is to match ministerial visit requests from the business and wider stakeholder community with suitable Ministers. Its aims are to increase ministerial interaction with key stakeholders and customers, including business, local government, national bodies with regional interests and the voluntary and community sectors. The unit was launched in 2000 and received a Charter Mark Award for excellence last December. It achieved more than 300 ministerial visits between 2000 and 2002 that otherwise would not have taken place.

Secondary information