HC Deb 22 February 1993 vol 219 c411W
Mr. Dowd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to review the consultation procedures with local authorities on the implications for them of intended legislation.

Mr. Robin Squire

Under recent legislation, where consultation is necessary, the Secretary of State is required to consultsuch representatives of local government as appear to him to be appropriate".

For these purposes we consult the local authority associations. Consultation documents cover the resource implications of proposals for local authorities. Even where there is no statutory requirement, it is the Government's policy and practice to consult the associations so that local government's views can be taken into account as early in the formulation of policy and legislation as possible. In addition, there are regular informal meetings between Ministers and the chairmen of the associations at which the direction of policy and the possibility of future legislation are discussed.

These consultation arrangements are kept under review and are regularly discussed with the associations.