§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a breakdown of the Local Government Commission's time and duties; and what was the total cost of the commission to the Exchequer up to 28 October.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Local Government Commission has a duty to undertake reviews of the structure, boundaries, and electoral arrangements of local government in areas of England, in accordance with directions from, and having regard to any guidance issued by, my right hon. Friend. The commission also has a statutory duty to undertake periodic reviews of local government electoral arrangements in all areas. In carrying out these reviews the specific responsibilities of individual members and staff of the Local Government Commission are a matter for the commission itself. Payments of grant in aid totalling16W £2,130,000 were made to the commission in 1992–93 and a further £2,107,515 has been advanced to it in 1993–94 —up to 28 October 1993.