§ 9. Mr. HansonTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest estimate of the cost of the reorganisation of local government in Wales.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe local authority associations have asked my right hon. Friend to make a provision of £49.5 million in 1995–96 and he will announce his decision very shortly.
§ Mr. HansonDoes the Minister think it fair that charge payers in Clwyd and, indeed, other counties in Wales, should have to bear the burden of local government reorganisation when counties in England, such as Cheshire and Shropshire which border my county, will retain two-tier government? Is it not a scandal that £49 million has had to be requested to cover the cost of reorganisation? Will he make strenuous demands on the Treasury to ensure that additional funding is given to local authorities to meet the cost of a reorganisation which is not happening in England?
§ Mr. JonesThe hon. Gentleman's hypothesis anticipates the result that he has not yet heard. I suggest that he should remain patient.