Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:30 pm on 29 March 2001.
Certainly, it has been the Government's view for some time that to suspend the county council elections would give a strong and negative signal. The right hon. Gentleman will be aware, as I have pointed this out to the House before, that the tourism industry—other industries are affected but it is primarily the tourism industry—has expressed strong reservations about that course. Obviously, all those issues remain under consideration.