§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has completed consideration of the reference in the second report of the Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration in Session 1979–80, HC 254, to complaints regarding the Commission for the New Towns and new town development corporations coming under the commissioner's jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungIn the report referred to, the Select Committee commented that, without prejudice to any other recommendations which might emerge from its inquiries into non-departmental public bodies, it would welcome the inclusion of the Commission for New Towns and the new town development corporations in England within the jurisdiction of the Commission for Local Administration in England. The Commission for Local Administration has itself recommended, in its latest review of the legislation under which it operates, that these new town bodies should be brought within its jurisdiction and my right hon. Friend is considering which of their functions might appropriately be covered in this way.