18. To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will bring forward legislative proposals to increase the independence from central government of local authorities; and if she will make a statement. (269461)

As explained in the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 18 November 2008, Official Report, column 371W, the statutory independence of local government is set out in various Local Government Acts. An overall devolutionary approach will continue to underpin any local government legislation we bring forward.