Dr Julian Lewis:  To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress he has made in implementing recommendations 20 and 21 of the Committee on Standards in Public Life review of local government ethical standards relating to misconduct by town and parish councillors; and if he will make a statement.  [11430]

[Due for Answer on 11 February]

ANSWER

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Rough Sleeping and Housing (Luke Hall):  The Committee on Standards in Public Life report of their review recommends some strengthening of the local government standards and conduct system with numerous legislative changes and amendments. Of the 26 recommendations, 22 were aimed at Government and we have been considering these carefully. I will be issuing the Government response to the report in due course.