§ 33. Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his most recent estimate of the cost of local government reform.
§ Mr. StewartThe likely costs of local government reform were detailed in the Government's White Paper "Shaping the Future—The New Councils", published last July. The Government have estimated that following the changes in boundaries agreed during the Committee stage of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill, there will be annual savings in the range £16 million to £60 million arising from the new structure, with some consequential reduction in transitional costs. In addition, some local authorities concerned have estimated that the new structures will be more cost effective in a number of respects.