§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to ensure that any new local authorities established as a result of the current review of local government have a population of at least 200,000; and what estimate he has made as to the population base that will normally be required for the effective delivery of social services in more rural areas.
§ Mr. CurryOur policy guidance to the Local Government Commission makes it clear that there need be no maximum or minimum size for the area or population covered by a unitary authority. As to the delivery of social services, population size does not determine effectiveness; we will look at each set of final recommendations by the commission on its merits. There are various ways in which local authorities can work together, if necessary, to provide specialist services.