News of the government's decision came in a parliamentary written answer from Hilary Armstrong, the local government minister.

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Local Government Minister Hilary Armstrong said councils should have the freedom to decide how to "address the needs of the gay community".

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Hilary Armstrong, the local-government minister, is herself a symbol of change.

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Beverley Hughes was first elected in 1997 but has made a very rapid ascent of the ladder of power, becoming parliamentary private secretary to Hilary Armstrong in 1998.

BBC: Beverley Hughes

But Hilary Armstrong, the local government minister, has been appalled to discover that more than 90% of councils have chosen the cabinet system, often without doing much consulting.

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Hilary Armstrong, the local-government minister, gave councils a warning last month that, unless they proved the doubters wrong in the next few years, Mr Major's lingering idea might well be revived.

ECONOMIST: Schools

He later returns to government as Africa Minister, but Chief Whip and fellow North East MP Hilary Armstrong is seen in the play as instrumental in preventing him succeed Clare Short as International Development Secretary.

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All parties have expressed concern over the low turnout - Local Government Minister Hilary Armstrong said "I hate the low turnout" - but the Labour government has said it will go ahead with proposed plans in line with the landslide 'Yes' vote.

BBC: Is anybody out there?