§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to sign the Council of Europe's charter for local self-government; and if not, why not.
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Earl Ferrers)The Government have consistently supported the broad principles which the charter sets out—principles which are exemplified by the position of local government in this country. However, we have not seen that the organisation of local government needs international regulation, and we have not formally adopted the charter.