asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to finish his consultations about the reform of local government finance consequential upon the publication of the Layfield Committee Report; and when he expects to be able to announce the Government's plans for the reform of the rating system.

Discussions with the local authority associations on the committee's proposals have continued until recently. We are now considering the views of the associations and of the other organisations which have commented. My right hon. Friend will make a statement on the Government's reactions to the Layfield Report as soon as possible.