To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the constitution and purpose of the Joint Economic Commission for the North West; how often it meets; who its members are and how they were appointed; what is its budget; and how it is serviced and funded. [HL1391]

The Joint Economic Commission (JEC) is set up on a time limited basis to meet as often as required to:

assess and monitor the performance of the NW economy;

agree actions to address the challenges facing the region and to ensure that the north-west economy emerges from the current downturn stronger than before; and

enable the regional Minister to ensure that decisions of the National Economic Council (NEC) can be implemented and that information on impacts in the NW can be fed back to the NEC.

It is jointly chaired by the regional Minister, the right honourable Beverley Hughes MP and the chair of the NWDA, Bryan Gray. Membership comprises representation from:

Government Office for the North West;

4NW;

Voluntary Sector North West;

NW Learning and Skills Council;

Homes and Communities Agency;

NHS NW;

Job Centre Plus NW;

Highways Agency;

NW TUC;

North West Business Leadership Team;

NW Confederation of British Industry;

Private Sector Partners;

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce;

Federation of Small Businesses;

Environment Agency; and

NWUA.

Members were appointed from key regional stakeholders to ensure that public, private and third sectors were all represented.

The secretariat is provided jointly by Government Office North West and the North West Development Agency. There is no budget attached to the commission. Member organisations cover the costs of agreed actions and the Government Office for the North West covers costs attached to the meetings.