HL Deb 27 November 1995 vol 567 cc459-61

3.5 p.m.

The Chairman of Committees (Lord Boston of Faversham)

My Lords, I beg to move the first Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.

Moved, That a Select Committee be appointed to consider the relationship between central government and local authorities in Great Britain; and, in particular, to consider—

  1. (1) the balance in that relationship between the powers exercised at central and local level;
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  2. (2) the effect of that relationship on local authorities' activities, particularly as regulator, service provider and community leader;
  3. (3) the need for regulation of local authorities as a means of ensuring appropriate standards of service and value for money, and the forms such regulation should take;
  4. (4) the financial relationship between central government and local authorities including the extent to which financial independence for local authorities is desirable and practicable;
and that, as proposed by the Committee of Selection, the following Lords be named of the Committee:
  • L. Beloff,
  • L. Dubs,
  • L. Gray of Contin,
  • B. Hamwee,
  • L. Hunt of Tanworth (Chairman),
  • E. Kintore,
  • B. Perry of Southwark,
  • L. Plant of Highfield,
  • B. Platt of Writtle,
  • L. Prys-Davies,
  • L. Sefton of Garston,
  • L. Tope,
  • L. Wade of Chorlton;
That the Committee have the power to adjourn from place to place;

That the Committee have power to appoint Specialist Advisers;

That the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee from time to time be printed and, if the Committee think fit, be delivered out.—(The Chairman of Committees.)

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, perhaps I may say that there is some relief in Wales that it has been seen fit to appoint a Welsh representative to this committee—and a very good one indeed. I should also like to express the hope that that kind of omission will not be seen on the Order Paper in future.

The Chairman of Committees

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn, for his observations. Of course, the noble Lord urged upon your Lordships the need for such a change and, as the noble Lord will observe, another change has also been made which was the result of an initiative taken by his noble friend Lady White and other Members of your Lordships' House outside the House. As the matter has been raised, perhaps I may mention that it is very much in accordance with the recommendation made by the noble Lord, Lord Hunt of Tanworth, the proposed chairman of the committee.

I should also like to add something that is perhaps not said sufficiently often in your Lordships' House. I am most grateful to those involved in the consultations through the usual channels. That also helped to lead to this result which I hope is satisfactory to your Lordships.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lord for those observations.

On Question, Motion agreed to.