HC Deb 16 December 2002 vol 396 c661W
Huw Irranca-Davies

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on progress with the review of policies and processes to be adopted during the fifth general review of parliamentary constituencies and the review of Assembly electoral regions by the Boundary Commission for Wales. [85619]

Mr. Leslie

I have been asked to reply.

In carrying out the fifth general review of parliamentary constituencies and Assembly electoral regions in Wales, the Boundary Commission for Wales will publish provisional recommendations for groups of constituencies, following the rules on the redistribution of seats set out in Schedule 2 of the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986. Provisional representations will be publicly available and interested parties will have one month from their publication in which to make representations.

Local inquiries will be held if representations objecting to the proposals are received from an interested local authority or from a body of 100 or more electors. Inquiries will be conducted by Assistant Commissioners who will report to the Commission.

Following receipt of reports, the Commission may decide to modify their revised recommendations before submitting their final proposals to my. right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, the procedure for publication and inviting representation is again repeated. The report containing the Commission's final recommendations relates to all constituencies for Wales. No separate reports are submitted on any group of constituencies.