§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had, with which bodies, in respect of the year 2000 Spending Review on local government; and if he will publish the minutes of meetings relating to this. [131767]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe Spending Review is internal to Government; there are no formal consultations with outside bodies. However, over the last year I have discussed the needs of local government in Wales with a number of organisations including the Welsh Local Government Association, and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary has met with representatives of 20 of the 22 local authorities in Wales. These meetings have given me a sound understanding of the funding needs for local government ahead of the 2000 Spending Review. It is of course a matter for the National Assembly for Wales to decide how it spends the settlement it has received.