§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many final reviews have been issued by his Local Government Commission to date; how many initial reports have been issued; how many are in course of preparation.
§ Mr. CurryThe Local Government Commission has published final reports on 10 shire counties, but has been asked to conduct further reviews of three of them. The commission will be publishing draft reports on these and the other 29 shire counties under review during the summer. Final reports on all areas are due to be with the Secretary of State by the end of 1994.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to implement the final reports of the Local Government Commission he has440W received so far; and if he will make a statement on the powers to be employed with particular reference to the extent to which proposals for different areas will be dealt with together.
§ Mr. CurryChanges to local government structure will be implemented by statutory order, subject to affirmative resolution in both Houses. We have made an order establishing a unitary structure on the Isle of Wight from 1 April 1995. We expect that orders for other areas where there is to be change will be laid by summer 1995 and reorganisation will be completed by 1 April 1997. Orders may be laid and debated together, depending on progress; we shall decide on handling at the time, taking into account the pressure of parliamentary business.