§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his policy on the independence of the Local Government Commission and the weight to be given to its recommendations.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe Local Government Commission is an independent, non-departmental public body. It is required to have regard to the policy and procedure guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Once the commission submits its final report to the Secretary of State, he may, by order, give effect to all or any of the recommendations, with or without modifications.