§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will assess the advantages of setting up an electoral commission to report to the Scottish Parliament on measures to reform local government elections. [30704]
§ Mr. Macdonald[holding answer 26 February 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland announced on 23 January 1998, Official Report, columns 704–05, the establishment of the Commission on Local Government and the Scottish Parliament. It will be open to that Commission to consider whether any changes to the way in which local authorities are elected are 657W desirable in the interests of promoting their democratic accountability. The Commission will report as soon as possible after the election of the Scottish Parliament.