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Regional Assemblies

Mr. Curry: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the estimated annual Government grant is to the proposed regional assemblies in (a) the North West, (b) the North East and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber. [146039]

Mr. Raynsford: Based on figures for 2002–03, and on existing programmes, elected regional assemblies would receive grants of around £780 million in the North West, £350 million in the North East and £570 million in Yorkshire and the Humber. Assemblies would also have influence—through consultation with, and making appointments to specified bodies—over budgets totalling £1,600 million in the North West, £600 million in the North East and £1,100 million in Yorkshire and the Humber.

In addition, the White Paper "Our Fire and Rescue Service" published in June 2003 said "we envisage that, eventually, where there are elected regional assemblies, fire and rescue authorities will be regional bodies". In 2001–02, the existing local fire and rescue authorities spent around £238 million in the North West, £103 million in the North East and £159 million in Yorkshire and Humberside. These are the latest figures available. Broadly speaking, three quarters of the Fire and Rescue Service's overall budget spending is met by revenue support grant and national non- domestic rates and the balance from council tax.

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