HC Deb 31 October 1990 vol 178 cc536-7W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will review the need to establish parish boundaries covering the whole of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Key

Outside Greater London, it is already the statutory duty of every district council to keep under review the whole of their areas for the purpose of considering whether to propose the constitution or abolition of parishes or changes in parish boundaries. If the Local Government Boundary Commission for England endorses, or itself makes, such proposals, my right hon. Friend has power to implement them. I see no need for a change in these arrangements.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to incorporate within existing legislation amendments to give parish councils powers to respond to local need while enhancing the ability of principle authorities to respond to the demands of larger areas.

Mr. Key

Parish councils, like other local authorities, already have powers under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 to undertake expenditure in the interests of their area for which they have no specific powers.