§ MR. P. BARLOW (Bedford)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the rural district council of Luton, in Bedfordshire, entered into a contract with the borough council of Dunstable, involving a sewage scheme for the adjoining parish of Houghton Regis; that such contract was entered into without notice having been given to the Houghton Regis parish council, contrary to Section 16, subsection (3) of the Local Government Act, 1904; that a Local Government Board inquiry was held at Houghton Regis in September last, when a protest was lodged against such inquiry taking place until the scheme had been put before the parish council and the parish; and that, as a result, the parish council, in protest, retired from the inquiry; and whether it is the intention of the Local Government Board to ignore the parish council's rights under the 1904 Act, and allow the scheme to proceed before the law has been complied with 2319 and the parish council has considered the scheme.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I am not aware that the rural district council of Luton have entered into any contract for the execution of works of sewerage for the parish of Houghton Regis, of which under Section 16 (3) of the Local Government Act, 1894, prior notice is required to be given to the parish council. At the inquiry referred to it was stated by the clerk to the rural district council that notice to the parish council should be given at once, and, before giving my decision on the application, I will inquire whether notice to the parish council has been given as promised.