HC Deb 30 July 1998 vol 317 cc545-6W
Mr. Alan Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions since 1968 the Secretary of State for Wales has used his powers to delay the implementation of the proposals of the Local Government Boundaries Commission. [53892]

Mr. Ron Davies

I do not have any powers to delay the implementation of the proposals of the Local Government Boundary Commission.

Section 58(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 enables the Secretary of State, if he thinks fit, to give effect to the Commission's proposals following the review of an area, either as submitted or in a modified form.

Section 64(3) the 1972 Act (as substituted by section 68 of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994) requires the secretary of State to give effect to the Commission's proposals for electoral arrangements following reviews carried out after the 1995 local elections for principal authorities, either as submitted or in a modified form.