Lord of the Rings white wizard Gandalf, played Sir Ian McKellan in Peter Jackson's film adaptation which is currently storming the box office, came in at number 10.

BBC: Doctor Who is sci-fi favourite

Speaking at a press conference in central London, Lord Falconer said the government would publish a White Paper on the proposals "as soon as possible next year".

BBC: NEWS | UK | Lawyer regulation 'needs change'

The white paper, however, omits some key proposals made by Lord Rogers's task force.

ECONOMIST: Cities

The white paper draws heavily on the report of the Urban Task Force, chaired by Lord Rogers, an architect, which was published 18 months ago.

ECONOMIST: Cities

Tory peer Lord Bruce-Lockhart, who chairs the Local Government Association, said the White Paper was "encouraging" and took "significant steps on local leadership, deregulation and cutting red tape".

BBC: A binman emptying rubbish into a dustcart

Mr Fraser can expect further opposition with the former Secretary of State for Scotland, Lord Forsyth, calling his plan a "ludicrous idea" which amounts to raising the white flag in the face of opposition from the SNP.

BBC: Scottish Tory leadership favourite 'to split party'