HC Deb 23 June 2004 vol 422 cc1460-1W
13. Andrew George

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to ensure that decisions about delivery of public services are made at(a) regional and (b) local authority levels. [179842]

Phil Hope

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is initiating a debate on the future of local government which will build on the current responsibility of authorities to make decisions about the delivery of a wide range of public services in their areas and to influence the delivery of others.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects to hold referendums this autumn on whether people in three northern regions want an elected regional assembly.