§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the reasons for creating a commission to investigate local Government reform in England.
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§ Mr. Robin SquireWe established the Local Government Commission to make recommendations on local government structure and boundaries having regard to the need to reflect the identities and interests of local communities and to secure effective and convenient local government, against the background of a variety of existing local authorities in England.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities, of each type, existed in England on 31 March 1974; how many of each type now exist; and when he expects the commission on local government reform to report.
§ Mr. Robin SquireIn England, on 31 March 1974 there were:
Number County councils 45 Greater London council 1 County boroughs 79 Non-county boroughs 227 Urban district councils 449 Rural district councils 410 London boroughs 32 City of London 1 At present there are:
Number County councils 39 Shire district councils 296 Metropolitan district councils 36 London boroughs 32 City of London 1 The Local Government Commission is carrying out its reviews of local government structure in the shire counties of England in rolling programme. The commission will be making recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State as it completes each review. The commission has submitted its final report on the future structure of local government on the Isle of Wight and it is currently reviewing the other areas in the first tranche of its work programme.