§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Boundary Commissions for England and Wales to complete their reviews of parliamentary constituencies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe Government's view is that any general election held in the autumn of 1983 or later should be based on up-to-date constituency boundaries. To this end, I and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland intend to present Orders in Council giving effect to the new constituencies as soon as possible after the reports of the boundary commissions are received. Each report must and will be dealt with as soon as it is received.
I understand that the English and Welsh commissions hope to complete their work by the end of 1982 and will submit their reports to me as soon as possible thereafter.