§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to set up a commission to review the area cost adjustment; what time scale he proposes; and if he will make a statement. [6154]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe work of the review of the area cost adjustment during 1996 provided an examination of the issues, though not one which the local authority associations wanted implemented for 1997–98 SSAs. The Department has recently commissioned research to examine some of the concerns of local government about the review's proposals. It will report this month and we shall discuss with local government both the findings and the way forward on the area cost adjustment.