§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from local authorities over the announcement of section 11 bids; what reports he has received about the timing of his announcement on local authority budget making and employment contract obligations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerVarious local authority representatives have made clear their concern about budgetary timetables and the contractual position of staff. That is why we are maintaining our target of announcing the results of the bidding round by the end of February, despite extending the bidding period by a month, as stated in my reply to the hon. Member of 17 January,Official Report, column 382.