HC Deb 10 December 1990 vol 182 cc273-4W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guideliness and regulations exist about conflicts of interest in respect of local authority boundary commissioners' connections with authorities whose boundaries are being considered.

Mr. Key

Paragraph 6 of schedule 7 to the Local Government Act 1972 provides that the commission's procedure at, and in connection with, its meetings shall be such as it may from time to time determine.

My right hon. Friend is confident that the commission ensures that no such conflicts arise.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in how many instances the interim decisions of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England have been substantially different from its draft proposals; and what percentage of total references this constitutes.

Mr. Key

Since decisions on the conduct of reviews are by statute for the commission, the Department does not monitor changes in the views expressed by the commission in its work leading up to a final report. It is implicit, however, in the statutory provisions which ensure that the public has an opportunity to comment on draft proposals, that the commission will take note of these comments, and from time to time change its views.