§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) if he will make a statement on what the criteria are for determining the award of city status to towns; [1338]
(2) if he will make the criteria for determining the award of city status more transparent; and if he will make a statement. [1339]
§ Mr. WillsCity status is not a right that can be claimed by the meeting of specific criteria, but an honour granted by the Queen, on ministerial advice, under the Royal Prerogative. A competition for grants of city status to mark Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee will be launched shortly. It is expected that guidance will be provided to local authorities, at that stage, as to the main factors which will be taken into account by Ministers before my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor submits his recommendations to the Queen.
The Lord Chancellor himself will take responsibility for this matter. Although I, together with my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton), will be responsible for answering questions in this House on city status, we shall not be involved in the consideration process because of our constituencies potential interests in the outcome.