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All RDAs across England are closing by March 2012 (see transition and closure section). With our resources reducing steadily, this page has not been recently updated and the information below may not be current. If in doubt, please contact us directly.

Regional Select Committee

Regional Select Committees were introduced in all the English regions following the Modernisation of the House of Commons Select Committee inquiry which took place in 2008. The recommendations resulted in nine Regional Select Committees (8 English regions plus London) being set up.

In November 2008, MPs backed the plan to create Regional Select Committees and Regional Grand Committees. The Select Committees scrutinise the work of regional organisations whilst the Grand Committees scrutinise the work of the Regional Minister.

The South West Select Committee was established in early 2009 under the chairmanship of Alison Seabeck MP (Plymouth Devonport).

The five South West MPs are:

  • Alison Seabeck - Plymouth Devonport - Chair
  • Roger Berry - Kingswood
  • Doug Naysmith - Bristol North West
  • David Drew - Stroud
  • Kerry McCarthy - Bristol East

The South West Committee has embarked on its inquiries - the first one looking at the effects of the recession in the South West took place during March to August 2009.

A second inquiry began in June 2009 on the topic of Transport in the South West.

An aerial view of the coastline at Lyme Regis

Engineer inspecting metal component