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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with councils in Wessex on a devolution settlement.

Regular meetings are held between officers from local authorities in Wessex and officials this Department on a range of topics important to the area, including devolution. Ministers have also exchanged views in correspondence with local leaders, in which we have been clear that decisions on future devolution will be subject to further ministerial decisions and local conversations.