In the local elections some three years ago the Minister's party indicated that grants administered from central sources in many Departments could be more effectively administered through local authorities and that these would be identified and their responsibilities transferred. Why has no progress been made on that? Is it absolutely necessary to wait further in view of the undertaking then given, which presumably was given on the basis of some study?

These questions relate to structural reform as distinct from financial arrangements so far as local authority funding is concerned but I take the point. It would be my opinion that the two should run together. Structural reform and the financing arrangements and funding of local authorities should be taken simultaneously to get the right result. Without going too deeply into it, let me say that maybe that is what is holding up one as against the other.