§ Baroness Nicolasked Her Majesty's Government:
What proportion of local authorities have replied to the consultation paper on compulsory privatisation of local authority services; what proportion were in support of the proposals; what proportion against, and whether all the replies will be available for inspection; and
What responses they have received from the Association of District Councils and the Association of County Councils to the consultation paper on compulsory privatisation of local authority services; and whether they will specify which proposals have been supported by these bodies and which have been opposed.
§ The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Elton)The Government have made no proposals for compulsory privatisation of local authority services. A total of 226 individual authorities have responded directly to the proposals for increased competition in the provision of such services; others responded through the local authority associations. The subject matter of the consultation paper is too complex to lend itself to a simple response analysis of the sort requested. The Government does not intend to publish all the responses received, but copies of the responses from individual authorities or other bodies can no doubt be obtained from those bodies.