§ 27. Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received any representations seeking reconsideration of his decision not to appoint an independent commissioner to investigate options for reorganisation of local government in Scotland.
§ Mr. Allan StewartMy right hon. Friend has received a number of representations requesting that the review of local government in Scotland should be conducted by an independent commission. In his reply of 29 April to the right hon. Member for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (Sir D. Steel) he gave a full explanation of his reasons for concluding that this was not the best or most appropriate way forward for Scotland.
§ 29. Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss the reorganisation of local government.
§ Mr. Allan StewartMy right hon. Friend and I last met the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on 8 April 1991 when we discussed, among other things, our proposals for the reorganisation of local government in Scotland. A further meeting with representatives of the sub-committee established by the convention on the future of local government in Scotland will be held shortly.
§ Mr. IngramTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the structure of local government; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allan StewartI refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (Sir D. Steel).