§ David DavisTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimates he has made of the cost of conducting local government re-organisation in(a) the North-East, (b) the North-West and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber following the introduction of regional assemblies; what factors contribute to the cost in each case; and if he will break down the cost in each case by factor. [123279]
§ Phil HopeIt is not possible, at this stage, to make an estimate of the likely costs of re-organisation. This will depend on the number of regions which move to having elected regional assemblies, the precise details of the changes proposed by the Boundary Committee and the preferred option of local electors. At the level of individual authorities, costs and savings will depend partly on decisions taken by the new authorities about the structures they put in place to deliver services and discharge their functions.