[holding answer 4 February 2008]: Regional Ministers have made a number of official visits to the counties in their regions since their appointment in July 2007. The following tables summarise those meetings made in their capacity as Regional Minister.
Break down by county Number of visits Cornwall 1 Devon 5 Dorset 2 Gloucestershire 2 Somerset 2 West of England 2 Wiltshire 2 Total 16
Break down by county Number of visits Northumberland 5 Durham 3 Cleveland 7 Tyne and Wear 14 Total 29
Break down by sub region Number of visits North Yorkshire 3 South Yorkshire 8 West Yorkshire 12 Total 23
Break down by county Number of visits Cheshire 1 Cumbria 2 Lancashire 2 Greater Manchester 2 Merseyside 4 Total 11
Break down by county Number of visits Cambridgeshire 6 Suffolk 6 Norfolk 3 Hertfordshire 3 Total 18
Break down by county Number of visits Kent 4 Sussex 2 Surrey 3 Berkshire 2 Hampshire 5 Buckinghamshire 2 Total 18
Break down by county Number of visits Derbyshire 2 Leicestershire 3 Nottinghamshire 10 Lincolnshire 4 Northamptonshire 1 Total 20
The table combines visits for my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln, the previous Minister for the East Midlands, and those of my hon. Friend the Member for Corby who was appointed on the 24 January 2008.
The Minister for London has made eight visits within Greater London not including visits made by the Minister relating to her Olympic responsibilities.
Unitary authorities Number of visits Birmingham 1 Stoke on Trent 1 Wolverhampton 1 Sandwell 1 Telford and Wrekin 1 Dudley 1 Coventry 1 Counties: Shropshire 1 Staffordshire 1 Warwickshire 1 Herefordshire (also unitary) 1 Worcester 1 Total 12