To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 13 October 2008, Official Report, column 938W, on River Lymington: ferries, what the role of the Government Office for the South East will be in resolving the situation regarding Wightlink’s application for shore works in the Lymington River. (229585)

[holding answer 23 October 2008]: It is part of Government Office’s role to connect Whitehall to key regional players and join up the agencies, non-departmental public bodies and regulators which operate regionally. In this instance, Government Office for the South-East is working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, other Government Departments and the many regulators involved in this project to promote progress and a joined up response to the issue.