§ Sir I. Fraserasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on the progress of his consultations on local government reform.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI have now had discussions with representatives of the local authority associations on all three aspects of the problem—areas and status and functions, on which two White Papers have already been issued, and finance, on which a White Paper will be issued next month. I am continuing to study these matters, in consultation with other Ministers concerned, in the light of the associations' views, and I hope there will be an opportunity for full discussion in Parliament before the Recess.