§ 50. Mr. LANE-FOXasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the embarrassment caused to county administration by the constant extension of county and non- county borough boundaries, whereby large portions of the most valuable portions of their rateable area are taken from counties; and whether, in view of the difficulty in which the more populous counties are being placed in developing schemes of education, transport, and sanitation, and by the constant uncertainty of their position, the Government will hold up all such proposals for extension until the whole question of the future of local government in county areas has been thoroughly considered?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo extension is allowed without first holding a local inquiry, at which full opportunity is afforded to all parties to give evidence in regard to the extension proposed, and I do not think it would be desirable to adopt the course suggested by my hon. Friend.