§ MR. STANLEY LEIGHTONI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, before proceeding with the Second Rending of the Local Government (England and Wales) Bill, he will furnish the House with a Return, accompanied by a map, showing how the union and division of parishes can be effected, so as to create the proposed new administrative districts, and also a Return of the Charities proposed to be placed under the Parish Councils?
§ * MR. H. H. FOWLERThe alterations of areas will be made by Orders of the County Council, and it will be necessary for them to consider the local circumstances in connection with such alterations. It will be the duty of the County Council to hold local inquiries after due notice for the purpose of determining what alterations should be made by them, and to make such Orders as they may deem most suitable for giving effect to the provisions of the Bill. I 315 cannot, therefore, give such a Return as is suggested. With regard to Charities, I have been in communication with the Charity Commissioners, and I am informed that it would be impossible to furnish a Return of the Charities which would be affected by the Bill without a laborious investigation which the Charity Commissioners are without the means of undertaking.
§ MR. STANLEY LEIGHTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman decline to say who is to decide, in case of dispute, whether a given locality comes within the provisions of the Bill?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERThat is a question which should be dealt with in Committee on the Hill.