§ Dr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many countries have now signed the European charter of local and self-government;
(2) whether Her Majesty's Government propose to sign the European charter of local and self-government; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what discussions he has had with representatives of local authorities about the European charter of local and self-government.
§ Mr. RidleyI understand that 14 countries have signed the charter. We have no plans to sign it. The matter was last discussed in the presence of local authority representatives at the eighth conference of European Ministers responsible for local government which was held in Ireland in September.