§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many consultation meetings he has held to date with local authorities on his Department's right to manage scheme; and how many he plans to hold.
§ Sir George YoungSince it was first announced in June 1992, preparations for the new right to manage have been 485W informed throughout by the views of local authorities and tenants' organisations. Views obtained by means of consultation papers have been augmented by discussions between officials and local authorities at seminars on the right to manage funded by the Department and organised by tenant training agencies. Officials have separately met a range of interested groups, including local authority officers, to discuss the Department's preparations for the right to manage in greater detail. In addition, local authorities and their associations are involved in a series of advisory groups set up to inform the preparation of detailed guidance. A meeting with local authority associations is planned for 11 November, and further meetings with authorities and the associations will be held as necessary.