Oral Answers to Questions

Ben Bradshaw Excerpts

Thursday 17th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davey]

I am not aware of that OFT report from 16 months ago, but I will meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss it.

[Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab)]

I thank the Secretary of State and his Ministers for what they have been trying to do in talking sense into Devon and Somerset over our local enterprise partnership, and suggest that perhaps west Dorset might like to come in with us as a solution to the problem mentioned by the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Annette Brooke). However, Exeter is still being completely excluded from this process. Will the Minister not sign off the draft LEP until Exeter is guaranteed either a business or a local authority seat on the partnership board?

[Mr Prisk]

We have made it very clear that all partners must be engaged in this process, and I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for participating in it. I am talking to the partners involved, and I have made it clear that they must ensure that this is a genuine, lasting partnership that will help our local economies to grow.