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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the indirect impact of local government restructuring on the appointment and boundaries of the High Sheriffs.

There is no intention that the priorities set out in the English Devolution White Paper will impact on the ceremonial counties or the important roles the High Sheriffs and Lord Lieutenants play as the Monarch’s representatives in those counties, and ceremonial counties will be retained. The Government recognises and values the work they do in relation to civic, business, social and community life in the ceremonial counties, and will ensure that the ceremonial rights and privileges of an area will be maintained after any reorganisation of local government.