§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 24 May,Official Report, column 96, if he will list the powers available to local authorities which would allow them to hold referendums on particular issues.
§ Mr. BaldryLocal authorities do not have any specific powers to hold referendums but may be able to rely on the 341W Local Government Act 1972, section 111—subsidiary powers of local authorities—in conjunction with one or more of their functions; section 141 of that Act—research and the collection of information; and the Local Government Act 1985, section 88—research and collection of information.