The House of Commons select committee on the environment announced the inquiry in November but will now prepare for hearings planned for January and February next year.

Is not yet clear exactly what the committee intends to investigate, or who will be called to give oral evidence, but it will use the written submissions to set terms of reference.

The deadline for submissions passed on Monday and some evidence has already come into committee staff from local authorities and the health service.

A spokesman for the committee said an investigation of the commission had been planned for some time and was a ?logical step? after its detailed examination of local government.

The commission has issued a statement welcoming what it sees as a ?routine? inquiry into its work.

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