HC Deb 27 June 1994 vol 245 cc544-5
10. Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received over the last six months on the future role of community and town councils in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

Nine since the publication of the Bill.

Mr. Llwyd

The Minister will know that, during the passage of the Local Government (Wales) Bill, I tabled an amendment to the effect that town and community councils should be better consulted in the role of planning. I have now received almost 300 letters in support of that amendment from various councils in Wales. The Minister said at one stage that the purport of the amendment would be included in guidelines soon to be issued to the new unitary authorities. When will those guidelines be in place and will they contain, as he has already said, the proposals in the amendment?

Mr. Jones

We are working on those guidelines. They are important, and they need to be in response to the exact concerns that the hon. Gentleman has expressed. I cannot give him a precise date at this point. They will be brought forward as early as possible and, yes, I am looking forward to their fully covering the important subjects that we have discussed.