asked the Minister for the Environment when he will introduce measures to give effect to the commitment in the policy statement The Reform of Local Government dated 30 May 1985, that from 1986 the power to levy service charges will be reserved to the elected councils.

I made an order on 11 October 1985 which provides that the power of county councils, boroughs and urban district councils to make charges for services in respect of domestic premises will, from 1986, be exercisable directly by the elected councils concerned rather than by the managers.

The separate legislation which applies to county boroughs requires that additions to their reserved functions can be made only on the application of the county boroughs concerned. The respective county boroughs have been notified of the action taken in relation to other authorities and asked to consider the matter at the earliest opportunity.

This shows the power of the parliamentary question. We got the Minister to move on that one. Will the Minister explain the position in relation to Galway which at present is a borough council but which, from 1 January, will be a county borough with the assistance of £500,000 from the Minister's Department?

The order applies to Galway Corporation which is still a borough as the Deputy pointed out.

What will happen from 1 January?

This order now applies and will continue in force after that date.