§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many elected councillors in Scottish local author: ties there are at present; and how many he plans there should be after the proposed changes to unitary councils.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 16 December 1992]: There are presently 1,682 councillors in local authorities in Scotland—445 regional councillors, 79 islands councillors and 1,158 district councillors. No decision has been taken on how many councillors will he required following the restructuring of local government. That will depend in part upon the size and number of single-tier authorities which are created. Before he reaches a decision on the appropriate number of councillors for the new structure my right hon. Friend will he considering carefully all the views which are expressed in response to the consultation paper "The Structure of Local Government in Scotland: Shaping the New Councils".