§ Mr. TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is his policy to implement any recommendations from the Local Government Commission which will add to the administrative costs of local government in the areas concerned.
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesMy right hon. Friend takes his decisions on local government reorganisation in the light of reports from the Local Government Commission. The policy guidance to the commission requires it to judge financial consequences, among other factors, but does not rule out options which would be marginally more expensive than the status quo if the extra cost would be outweighed by other considerations. The actual costs or savings achieved will depend on decisions taken by the authorities concerned.
§ Mr. TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has received from the local government commissioner of the transitional and on-going costs for savings arising from its recommendations that new unitary authorities should be established in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire.
§ Mr. CurryThe information requested is contained in the local government financial appraisal reports for Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire published separately in October 1994 by the Local Government Commission for England. The information, which relates to indirect costs, is as follows:
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Transitional £millions Ongoing savings costs £ millions Bedfordshire 7—10 (2)—1 Buckinghamshire 10—13 (2)—(5) Hampshire 10—12 (1)—(5) Notes: 1 Transitional costs relate to the cost of reorganisation spread over a number of years. 2 Savings—costs—shown are annual figures. associated agencies over the past five years; and what are the projected figures for the next five years.
§ Mr. Robert B JonesThe following information covers non-industrial staff in my Department and agencies, excluding Property Services Agency: