§ MR. HOBHOUSE (Somerset, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the Provisional Order Government Departments (transfer of Powers) Bill is to be abandoned in consequence of the Report of the Select Committee; if a similar Bill will be introduced next year; and, if not, how the Government propose to carry out the undertaking they gave last year to enlarge the powers of County Councils by transferring to them certain duties of the Government Departments?
§ * MR. RITCHIEThe hon. Gentleman will recognise that the Government have, by introducing the Government Departments (Transfer of Powers) Provisional Order Bill, fulfilled the undertaking under which they came last Session, and I regret that the Report of the Select Committee to which the Bill was referred precludes the Bill being proceeded with this year. No enlargement of the powers of the County Councils can take place without legislation, and I cannot give any assurance as to the legislation that may be proposed next Session.
§ MR. HOBHOUSEI beg to give notice that on a future day I will call attention to this subject.