To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to amend the terms of reference, working methods or personnel of the Local Government Commission.

The Local Government Commission's terms of reference are laid down in the Local Government Act 1992. In carrying out its reviews, the commission must have regard both to the requirements of section 15 of the Act, and of the procedural guidance which we have issued to it. It is otherwise free to determine its own working methods. The commission is responsible for making its own staffing arrangements. We have no current plans to make fresh appointments to the commission.