§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the encouragement his Department is giving to local authorities to consult with the public in connection with the White Paper on local government reform. [70377]
§ Mr. RaynsfordOur local government White Paper makes it clear that the Government attach the highest importance to councils consulting local people as they take forward their plans to modernise. We shall shortly602W publish for consultation a draft Bill to transform the political management and ethical framework of councils. We expect all councils to lead a full local debate on these issues in their area.