Local Government Structure (Hansard, 11 December 2001)

§ Mr. Andrew Mitchell
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers he has to change the local government structure in England and Wales; and on what basis he will exercise these powers. [21631]

§ Dr. Whitehead
The powers in relation to England are in Part II of the Local Government Act 1992 which provides for the basis on which these powers must be exercised. Matters relating to local government structure in Wales are a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

§ Mr. Andrew Mitchell
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent research the Government have commissioned on the financing of changes in local government structure; and if he will publish the results. [21512]

§ Dr. Whitehead
No such research has been commissioned.

§ Mr. Andrew Mitchell
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the next round of periodic structural reviews for local authorities in England and Wales will take place. [21509]

§ Dr. Whitehead
There are no plans for any periodic structural reviews for local authorities in England. The position in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

§ Mr. Andrew Mitchell
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Government will publish plans to change the local government structure. [21633]

§ Dr. Whitehead
As previously announced by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, we intend to publish a Regional Governance White Paper, and this will set out how we plan to take forward our manifesto commitment that provision should be made for directly 797W elected regional government to go ahead in regions where people decided in a referendum to support it and where predominantly unitary local government is established.