§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the criteria which apply to(a) districts seeking to attain borough status and (b) boroughs seeking to attain city status; and if he will make a statement. [66804]
§ Mr. RaynsfordA district council may petition Her Majesty The Queen for the grant of a charter conferring upon the district the status of borough. The resolution authorising the petition requires a two-thirds majority of the members at a meeting specially convened for that purpose. The title of city is an honour conferred by Her Majesty The Queen, by Letters Patent; it is not a right which can be claimed by the fulfilment of specific conditions.