1.   It was used to justify the introduction of the poll tax and to justify breaking up metropolitan counties.

2.   The smallest metropolitan county had, therefore, a population approximately double that of the largest unitary authority.

3.   These were designated as metropolitan areas and were given a two-tier structure of metropolitan counties and districts.

4.   The number of doctors in metropolitan counties providing the service is dwindling, in part because of demonstrations and threats against them by abortion opponents, he said.