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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the proposal from Slough Borough council to become part of the administrative local government boundaries of Greater London; and what role the Local Government Boundary Commission for England has in such a decision.

No proposal has been received from Slough Borough Council to become part of the administrative local government boundaries of Greater London.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) can conduct reviews of administrative boundaries such as the external boundaries of local authorities. This process is referred to as a Principal Area Boundary Review (PABR). Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 the LGBCE is able to undertake PABR at the request of a local authority, on its own initiative or at the request of the Secretary of State. The LGBCE cannot be required by the Secretary of State to undertake a PABR as the LGBCE is independent of Government and accountable to Parliament through the Speakers Committee.