§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that the new authorities established following the review of local government are4W of appropriate geographical size and population and have sufficient human and financial resources to work effectively with health authorities in the commissioning of community services, provide specialist services within a soundly based, multi-disciplinary framework and secure the cost-effective provision of a wide range of care services within a mixed economy of care.
§ Mr. CurryI have been asked to reply.
We will not implement changes to local government structure unless we are satisfied that effective provision can be made for all local authority functions, including personal social services. That provision may include shared arrangements in some cases. The resources available to new authorities will be decided in the same way as for existing authorities.