HC Deb 14 July 1992 vol 211 c600W
Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to obtain the advice of the Audit Commission on the restructuring of local government in Wales.

Mr. David Hunt

The Audit Commission has received copies of the consultation papers I have issued, and has submitted comments.

Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has asked the Audit Commission to undertake a full assessment of the costs and benefits of all the different options in regard to the reorganisation of local government in Wales.

Mr. David Hunt

Independent consultants have made an assessment of the financial implications of a unitary authority structure in Wales. A copy of their report is in the Library of the House. An Audit Commission representative attended meetings between my officials and officials representing the Assembly of Welsh Counties and the Council of Welsh Districts at which the methodology for this work was considered.

Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish all the responses he has received on the subject of the internal management of local authorities in Wales since November 1991.

Mr. David Hunt

Copies of these responses were placed in the Library of the House last February.