THE EARL OF MANSFIELDasked Her Majesty's Government:
- (a) Whether they are aware of the deep and continuing anxiety of all public bodies in Scotland in regard to the future of Scottish Local Government, and whether they realise that many of these bodies are unable to plan satisfactorily for their future development until they know what form Local Government is to take;
- (b) whether, therefore, Her Majesty's Government will make a statement at the earliest possible moment, as to whether it is their intention to implement in full, or in part, the recommendations of the Wheatley Report, or to make different proposals of their own, and when it is anticipated that they will be in a position to introduce the necessary legislation.
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BEL-HELVIEThe Government are well aware of the need to dispel uncertainty about the future structure of local government, and they are giving urgent attention to proposals for reform. Consultations with the Scottish local authority associations on the recommendations of 729WA the Wheatley Report relating to the main issues of structure and functions have now taken place. The Government intend to announce their proposals for the basic structure and functions of local government in Scotland in a White Paper about the end of the year.
Once the Government's proposals have been published, we will carry out further consultations on the more detailed matters, with a view to introducing the necessary legislation as soon as it can be prepared.