MR. POWELL-WILLIAMS (Birmingham, S.)asked the President of the Local Government Board, When he expects to lay upon the Table of the House the Report of the Boundary Commissioners; and, whether he has any objection to include in it the Reports of the Sub-Commissioners, containing the reasons for the recommendations which they made to the Commissioners?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's), in reply, said, the Report of the Boundary Commissioners was to be submitted to the County Councils. It was not proposed to ask the House to assent or dissent from the Report, which was for the in- 1518 formation of County Councils, by whom it was to be considered. The Local Government Board had not yet received the Report, but expected to do so in a day or two. If the Reports of the Sub-Commissioners were appended to the Report they would be laid on the Table.
§ SIR JOHN SIMON (Dewsbury)asked, whether there would be any discussion in the House?
§ MR. RITCHIEsaid, he did not see how it was possible to alter the Report of the Commission, which was appointed under Act of Parliament.
§ MR. H. GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden)asked, whether the House had no power to advise the Councils?
§ MR. RITCHIEsaid, it was the duty of the Councils to consider the Report, and to take such action upon it as they thought necessary. No alteration could be made in the boundaries of counties without being first submitted to Parliament. He could have maps prepared showing the alterations made.