§ MR. B. SAMUELSONasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether it is intended to introduce a measure substituting local inquiries, in place of costly private Acts, for the extension of the boundaries of Municipal Boroughs; and, whether, pending the introduction of such a measure, he would allow some officer of the Local Government Board to give advice and assistance to parties locally interested as to equitable terms of rating and other conditions attaching to such extensions, so as, if possible, to bring about arrangements and prevent expensive contests before Parliamentary Committees?
§ MR. DODSONSir, in consequence of the large amount of Business before the House, the Local Government Board have no intention of introducing a measure on this subject during the present Session. At the same time, I quite admit that it is a matter well worthy of consideration whether these extensions could not be more conveniently made by Provisional Orders than by Private Bills. As regards the last portion of the Question, I must say I am afraid that, with the present staff of the Department, I could not detach an officer as suggested.