§ Mr. TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out his estimates of costs or savings arising from the present review of local government in England; and how far these savings differ from estimates previously made by his Department.
§ Mr. Robin SquireIt will be for the Local Government Commission to assess area by area the costs and benefits of possible changes to the structure of local government in England. It is not possible at this stage to give precise estimates, but the Government's guidance to the commission makes it clear that any changes to the structure of local government should be worthwhile and cost-effective over time.