Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the proposed average electorate of each ward in the review of metropolitan ward boundaries; [5629]
(2) if he will make a statement on proposals in respect of ward boundaries in metropolitan areas; [5628]
(3) what plans he has to reduce the number of councillors on metropolitan councils; [5631]
(4) what assessment he has made of the effects of parliamentary constituency boundary proposals for changes to ward boundaries in metropolitan areas. [5627]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe timetable and procedure for periodic electoral reviews, including in metropolitan areas, are a matter for the Local Government Commission, within the time constraints set down in the Local Government Act 1992. The commission consulted earlier in the year about the general principles which it will follow during those reviews.