HC Deb 03 March 1998 vol 307 c543W
24. Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his consultation on the future of local government. [30646]

Ms Armstrong

My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister launched a wide ranging consultation paper on modernising local government on 9 February, when he published the consultation paper "Local Democracy and Community Leadership".

A second paper, "Local Services Under Best Value", has been published today. Further papers on the new ethical framework and on aspects of local government finance will be published shortly. Following consultation, the Government will set out their firm proposals in a White Paper this Summer.