§ MR. BENN (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if Her Majesty's Government propose to take any steps to bring about the amalgamation of the City of London with the area which is now known as the administrative county of London?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. H. H. FOWLER, Wolverhampton, E.)Her Majesty's Government have come to the conclusion that the administration of London must be considered imperfect and anomalous until arrangements have been made for including the City in the general system of the Metropolis. They, therefore, feel it to be their duty to lose no time in accelerating that necessary reform. But they are not insensible to the little prospect that the state of public business holds out of their being able to carry an adequate measure of this kind during the present Session, and also to the many difficulties of detail with which this question is encompassed. They have, therefore, determined to issue a small Royal Commission to consider the proper conditions under which the proposed amalgamation can be effected and to make specific and practical propositions for that purpose. With that object they would propose that the Commission should consist of five Members, one to represent the City, one the London County Council, two others to be persons well versed in the municipal government of our great cities, and a Chairman of business capacity and impartiality.
§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)Will Mr. Justice Mathew be the Chairman?
§ [No answer was given.]