§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Staff Commission for Wales and the local authority associations in relation to the carrying over of existing staff to the new authorities on 1 April 1996.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Jones) held an annual review meeting with the staff commission on 14 November: staff transfer arrangements were among the matters discussed. My officials maintain close contact with the Staff Commission and local authority associations, and are discussing with them how best to give effect to the guidance which I issued to the commission in August.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for funding the new residuary body for Wales by(a) precept and (b) other means.
§ Mr. RedwoodI have decided that the residuary body should be funded by means of borrowing under a supplementary credit approval in 1994–95 and 1995–96. It would be funded by levies on local authorities in 1996–97 and any subsequent years. It would not have any power to issue a precept. I wrote to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies) on 2 November informing him of my decision. This letter was copied to the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) and the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Carlile).