HC Deb 13 May 1994 vol 243 cc254-5W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his latest estimates of the costs to the Exchequer of local government reform in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Portillo

[holding answer 12 May 1994]: The costs of local government reform in the United Kingdom as a whole will depend on the final structures adopted in England. Any costs should be more than offset by the on going savings that the new arrangements are expected to generate. The proportion of those costs and savings which will fall to the Exchequer will depend on the outcome of future public expenditure surveys.