§ Mr. RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to announce his decisions on the proposals set out in his consultation paper "The Welsh Office and Local Government: Redefining the Relationship", published in March of this year. [41074]
§ Mr. HagueI have already announced progress in a number of important areas, including arrangements for the first round of the Welsh capital challenge scheme. However, I have today published a second paper which provides a comprehensive summary of the original proposals and the responses received. It also sets out my decisions on all of the proposals and encourages further dialogue on the question of the Welsh Office's relationship with local government. Copies of the paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.