Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when and by what process a decision will be made on whether to reduce the number of elections held for Birmingham City Council.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement of 9 December, Official Report, Column 27-29WS. We intend to change the electoral cycle of Birmingham City Council to all out elections. We intend to do this by making the appropriate Order under the Local Government Act 2000.