HC Deb 04 May 1983 vol 42 cc74-5W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the draft European charter of local self-government; and what is his policy (i) towards the principles of the draft charter and (ii) towards the text as presently drafted.

Mr. Giles Shaw

My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations from local authorities in support of the draft charter which the conference of local and regional authorities of Europe has proposed should attain the status of a convention of the Council of Europe. The Government are not satisfied that the draft charter provides a suitable basis for a binding international instrument. Negotiations on the content and form of a charter are in progress in the steering committee for regional and municipal matters of the Council of Europe with a view to the matter being considered by a meeting of local government Ministers in Rome in 1984.