§ Sir Colin ShepherdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what he intends to be the implementation date of the reorganisation of local government in areas for which orders have not yet been made. [15380]
§ Mr. GummerAs I said in my statement on 30 November 1995,Official Report, columns 1333–52, we envisage staging the implementation of reorganisation in England to take account of the resources available. We also needed to allow time to receive and consider representations on the Local Government Commission's final report which was submitted on 19 December, and, where we accept recommendations for change, to consult on draft orders. With these considerations in mind we have reluctantly concluded that implementation of reorganisation in the remaining areas for which we have 483W not already laid orders cannot take place in 1997. I intend to make a further announcement setting out our decisions on the recommendations in the commission's final report, and the timing of the remaining orders, as soon as possible.