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Baroness Blatch: My Lords, before the noble Lord sits down, there is one more question to which it is important that we receive an answer before we close the debate. I asked specifically whether a local authority will have to go through the exercise of best value on every one of the considerable number of items listed in the three schedules.

Lord Davies of Oldham: My Lords, the categorisation of best value for local authorities has considerable breadth. These are areas in which, if they so choose, they may establish best value for the services provided under a contracting out principle to their own satisfaction. If they choose to do it that way and are able to establish to their satisfaction that they can achieve best value, they will pursue that course.

There is no question of every detail being a checklist against which a local authority will be evaluated. We have produced an extensive list of discrete functions because the legislation covers that range of functions. Following consultation with local authorities, we want to maximise their opportunities to achieve best value targets. However, we also accept that there are certain discrete areas that ought to be reserved to the local authorities. That is the basis of the order.

On Question, Motion agreed to.

House adjourned for the Easter Recess at eleven minutes past one o'clock until Monday, 8th April

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