Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

I fear that the Minister’s comments have again prompted me to intervene. I think that he said that district councils are a vital part of local democracy, yet the Government’s previous legislation means that, in the whole of the north-eastern region, after 31 March there will be no district councils. I have long held the view that the Government do not have a very coherent approach to local government and local democracy, and that statement proves it.