Minister for the East Midlands Phil Hope took questions from MPs from
across the region and then led the main debate on Building Britain’s
Future – the Government’s plans for helping the region to make
the most of the recovery when it happens.
Chaired by North West Leicestershire MP David Taylor and held at Nottingham
City Council’s Council House, the regional grand committee
was part of the national drive to bring more accountability to the
regions - and it aims to make government work in the region more open
and transparent.
The grand committees, along with regional select committees, bring
parliamentary democracy closer to the people MPs represent, said Mr Hope,
closing the gap in accountability at regional level.
It is also important, the Minister told MPs, that unelected regional
bodies, such as the East Midlands Development Agency (emda), are held to
account and scrutinised.
Speaking after the event, Mr Hope said:
“Holding this committee was a huge step towards greater
accountability at regional level and the goal of bringing Parliament
much closer to communities.
“We discussed today the good work that already been done to
tackle the global economic downturn, and the plans outlined in Building
Britain’s Future to help businesses and individuals emerge from
the recession.
“I am not just a voice of Government in the East Midlands, I am
also a champion for the region. So I will take the information
discussed here today back to Whitehall to work with colleagues in
different departments to build on this region’s strengths but
also to find solutions to the challenges our businesses and families
are still facing.”
