§ Lord Bradshawasked Her Majesty's Government:
What information they are intending to provide to the public about the costs of the options for the six counties in the north of England where it is proposed to introduce new local government structures as part of the referendum process; and [HL3825]
Whether they will provide information about (a) the ongoing costs, and (b) the transitional costs, including service costs, for each of the options for the local government structures proposed by the Boundary Commission in its report of May 2004. [HL3826]
§ The Minister of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Lord Rooker)The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister shall, for each of the options to be put to the electorate in the north-east on 4 November, provide information about the transitional costs of implementing local government reorganisation and the potential for running cost savings.