Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has completed his review of the working of section 137 of the Local Government Act; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. WaldegraveWe are examining the report, published last month by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, of a study of Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, carried out by Reading university. My right hon. Friend will consider in the light of this whether further action is necessary.