§ Mr. SummersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate the matters relating to the boundary commissions on which he is prepared to answer questions.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe boundary commissions are independent bodies operating under statute. I answer questions relating to those matters which are my responsibility (for example, making appointments to and meeting the costs of the English and Welsh commissions, and the consideration of their reports) and I will, as appropriate, answer questions relating commonly to all four parliamentary boundary commissions. Customarily I also answer questions seeking information about the commissions' work; this information is in the public domain and is available directly from the commissions. So far as the local government boundary commissions for England and Wales are concerned, I receive reports on electoral arrangements and will answer questions on my consideration of those.