§ Mr. FranksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers he has under section 61 of the Local Government Act 1972; and if he has ever called a local inquiry under this section of the Act.
§ Mr. David Hunt[holding answer 4 April 1990]: Section 61 of the Local Government Act 1972 empowers the Local Government Boundary Commissions for England and for Wales and district councils to hold public local inquiries as part of their reviews of local government areas. The section confers no powers on the Secretary of State. It follows that the Secretary of State has held no inquiries under this section.