HC Deb 25 November 1993 vol 233 cc185-6W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the mode of transport used by each member of the Local Government Commission in performing their duties in the local government review, with the class of travel used.

Mr. Baldry

Travel expenses necessarily incurred by members on Commission business are payable in accordance with the arrangements made for senior staff of the commission. Civil service terms and conditions excluding pay apply to these staff. Accordingly, the commission has discretion to determine its own arrangements for reimbursement of travel expenses within the rules and principles set out in the civil service management code.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total cost of the public opinion surveys carried out in the course of the local government review.

Mr. Baldry

This is a matter for the Local Government Commission.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the current situation with regard to local government reorganisation.

Mr. Baldry

My right hon. Friend announced on 2 November his decision to implement the Local Government Commission's recommendations in respect of the Isle of Wight. We are currently considering the Government's response to the commission's recommendations concerning Derbyshire, Cleveland and Durham. The commission is preparing reports on Avon, Gloucestershire and Somerset, and on Humberside, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire. The commission has been directed to begin reviews of the remaining shire counties on 13 December 1993 and to submit all reports on or before 30 December 1994.