§ Mr. Matherasked the Minister for the Civil Service what technical assistance his Department can give to enable local authorities to plan for staff and accommodation requirements over the next two decades.
§ Mr. Graham PageI have been asked to reply.
Local authorities are, and after re-organisation will remain, responsible for meeting such requirements; and local government has its own central advisory bodies. I would willingly consider any request made to me for assistance in these matters.
As I announced to the House during the debate on the Local Government White Paper, advice is being prepared, in agreement with the local authority associations, on the best management structures for the new authorities.—[Vol. 817, c. 1291–2.]