asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give an assurance that the recommendations of the panel now studying the question of reorganisation of local government in Wales will be considered by Her Majesty's Government and acted upon wholly independently of the recommendations of the Royal Commissions on Local Government set up for England and Scotland, respectively.

I expect to consider the Working Party's report and to publish a White Paper before the end of this year. After taking account of the views of the local authority associations, who will be consulted, and reactions in Wales I will then be in a position to decide upon the next step.