Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

We support the spirit of the amendment. While there is a strong case for unitary councils in many areas, the drive should come from local people. Indeed, the Minister in an earlier speech made mention of the fact that this process started from a devolutionary point of view, so it seems right that the drive should come from local areas and that the Secretary of State should then invite those areas to come forward with proposals. A power to direct runs completely counter to the devolutionary spirit.