§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make a statement on the role of inter-authority co-operation within the context of his Department's local government reform package for Wales;
(2) if he will outline how the current strategic planning functions carried out by county councils will be fulfilled by the new unitary authorities.
§ Mr. David HuntThese matters will be dealt with in the White Paper that I will be publishing in due course.
§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration has been given by his Department to the effect of local government reform in Wales upon applications from local authorities for planning consent for their own projects.
§ Mr. David HuntUnder the present law a local planning authority may grant itself planning permission to develop its own land within its area. Under the new structure I expect the new councils, as local planning authorities, to have the same powers.