Clause 67
Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [Lords]
10:45 am
Rosie Winterton (Minister of State (Yorkshire and the Humber), Department for Communities and Local Government; Doncaster Central, Labour)
I have to confess to the Committee that I am extremely disappointed and dismayed by the Opposition’s lack of understanding of the importance of ensuring that we are delivering on the economy not only at national and local level, but at regional level as well. It is vital that, when we look at some of the strategic issues that affect the economy, we have the spatial level to do so. It is true that individual local authorities have an important part to play in driving through economic development and regeneration. Given the stance that the Opposition took earlier in pouring cold water over the ability and duties that we are placing on local authorities with regard to economy, I am surprised that they are suddenly saying that everything must be done now.
There is no doubt whatsoever that some issues are best dealt with at the regional level. The right hon. Member for Skipton and Ripon surely remembers that Michael Heseltine, when he was a Secretary of State, recognised the important role that needed to be played at the regional level when he devolved the Government offices to the regions. There was a certain all-party consensus on the matter—my right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich will correct me if I am wrong. I think that there was recognition that certain decisions could not be simply made nationally and forced on the regions and that certain decisions were not possible for individual local authorities to take themselves.