§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the operation of the procedures and the timescale for the introduction of the Cabinet system of Government in local councils. [121485]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Local Government Bill[Lords], now before the House, provides for councils to adopt a new constitution with a separate executive. If the Bill is enacted, we expect that, under normal circumstances, all councils will have adopted a new constitution by May or June 2002 at the latest. We have now published for consultation revised drafts of the proposed guidance and regulations on new constitutions for councils; copies are available from the Vote Office and have been placed in the Library.