§ Mr. ThorneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has made a new electoral arrangement order for the Inner London education authority; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdYes. I have signed an order implementing the recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England contained in its report No. 533, which was submitted to me on 24 March 1987 This provides for single member wards to come into effect for the next ordinary elections of the ILEA in 1990 as required by section 19(3) of the Local Government Act 1985. The commission was required to hold the review by paragraph 3 of schedule 9 to the 1985 Act, which also requires me to make an order implementing the commission's recommendations, with or without modifications. As the House knows, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science has introduced a Bill which includes provisions on the future of ILEA. Under his proposals, the size of the elected ILEA will be reduced if boroughs successfully apply to assume education responsibilities for their area. This does not effect the 1985 Act requirement that provision should be made for single member wards for future ILEA elections.