asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessments they have made of the impact on planned public expenditure totals of local authorities' proposals to establish unitary structures.[HL2608]

The impact on public expenditure totals will depend on which, if any, proposals for future unitary structures are implemented. In submitting proposals, councils have estimated the potential costs and savings that would arise from a move to unitary structures in their area.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish a list of the partners and stakeholders who will have an opportunity to make representations about the proposals for unitary structures which have been put forward by local authorities; and, if so, when they will publish such a list.[HL2609]

The Government intend to announce which proposals will proceed to a 12-week consultation before 27 March, the day for publication of the notice of election for the forthcoming local elections. We will include in the consultation document a list of stakeholder organisations that have been invited to submit their views. The consultation document will also be publicly available and it will be open to anyone to make representations to the Secretary of State during the consultation period.