HC Deb 18 May 1992 vol 208 cc41-2W
Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the timetable for the first tranche of recommendations under the local government commission's proposals for the reorganisation of local government.

Mr. Robin Squire

The commission will begin its reviews of areas, as directed by the Secretary of State, as soon as practicable after it has been set up. We hope that the commission will make recommendations in time for the first new authorities to be established on 1 April 1994. Others will take longer.

Mr. Temple-Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to appoint the local government commission and its staff; and how long he expects it will take for the commission to review the structure of local government and make recommendations.

Mr. Robin Squire

We intend to set up the new local government commission this summer.

We want the commission to complete its reviews of local government structure as quickly as possible, subject to the need to give proper consideration to the complex issues involved. We hope that the commission will make recommendations in time for the first new unitary authorities to be established on 1 April 1994. Recommendations on other areas are likely to lead to other unitary authorities being set up later.

Mr. Michael Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the procedures adopted by the local government commission in its review of local government.

Mr. Robin Squire

The procedures for the local government commission to follow are set out in general terms in section 15 of the Local Government Act 1992. My right hon. Friend will issue guidance to the commission, building on these statutory requirements. Detailed procedures for the conduct of individual reviews will be a matter for the commission itself.