HL Deb 14 November 2001 vol 628 cc92-3WA
Lord Hoyle

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made on the transfer of the functions of the Local Government Commission for England to the Electoral Commission. [HL1363]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

We have today laid a draft of an order which, subject to parliamentary approval, we intend to make under section 18 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act to provide for the transfer of functions of the Local Government Commission for England, together with the associated functions of the Secretary of State on electoral arrangements, to the Electoral Commission with effect from 1 April 2002. Our aim is to secure a well planned transfer which avoids any disruption to the current programme of periodic electoral reviews being undertaken by the LGC or to the work programme of the Electoral Commission.