§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of England in(a) area and (b) population is currently covered by unitary local authorities; and what the figures will be when the changes arising from the proposals of the local government commission have been implemented. [27434]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordAt present 11 per cent. of the area and 43 per cent. of the population of England are covered by unitary local authorities, including London boroughs and metropolitan districts. Once all the structural changes which the Government have accepted have been implemented the percentages will be 16 per cent. and 54 per cent. respectively.