HC Deb 20 May 1992 vol 208 cc244-5
4. Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received in the last year on the future structure of local government in Scotland.

Mr. Lang

I have received a total of 465 responses to my first consultation paper on the future structure of local government in Scotland since its publication in June 1991.

Mr. Wallace

As there is no reference in the Gracious Speech to any legislation on this subject, will the Secretary of State now take the time that that absence offers to implement in Scotland the kind of commission that has been set up in England so that the views of the local communities can be ascertained on what the boundaries of the new authorities should be? Will he also acknowledge that the reform of local government is an opportunity, as recommended by the Montgomery committee, to consolidate, extend and develop the powers of the existing single-tier authorities in the islands?

Mr. Lang

We shall, of course, continue to consider what external advice should be sought on different aspects of the reform of local government. We have today commissioned a consultancy study by Touche Ross management consultants into the costs, transitional and running, of the kind of change to local government that we are contemplating. We also propose to set up, I hope with the agreement of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, a working party to study aspects of the internal management of local authorities. We are making progress with our plans on local government reform.

Mr. Bill Walker

When my right hon. Friend is considering the proposals for local government restructuring will he bear in mind the wishes of the people of north Tayside, who want local government to be nearer to them? The proposed closure of the bridge over the River Ericht between Blairgowrie and Rattray will disrupt the tourist trade up to Braemar and in other areas in northern Perthshire and the Grampians. That decision shows only too well how out of touch the regional authority at Dundee is with the problems faced by the rural economy, particularly the tourist economy.

Mr. Lang

I am sure that my hon. Friend will pursue that specific point as he knows well how to do. I certainly acknowledge the importance of making local government more local, coherent and accountable. That is part of our purpose in considering reform.

Mr. Maxton

Will the Secretary of State confirm that a large number of those who responded to his consultation paper on the future of local government in Scotland called for an independent inquiry into its future? Is it not obvious, even to him, that without such an inquiry, radical changes such as he is proposing to the structure and function of local government, will be seen by the Scottish people as undemocratic gerrymandering for the benefit of the Scottish Tory party? Why does he not announce such an inquiry today and so ensure that we have a proper structure of local government in Scotland in the future?

Mr. Lang

When we publish the second consultation paper, which we hope to do in the autumn, we shall consult widely, just as we did on our initial consultation paper. I have already said in answer to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Wallace) that we shall consider what external advice we may seek on different aspects of the reform as it proceeds.