HC Deb 30 January 1998 vol 305 c397W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what prospective occasions he assesses to be suitable for the awarding of city status. [25999]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

[holding answer 38 January 1998]: City status is a rare honour conferred by the Sovereign, by Letters Patent. Nowadays, grants are usually made on occasions of particular Royal and national significance. It will be for Her Majesty to decide if and when she wishes to create a further city.