§ 108. Mr. LANE-FOXasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the high expenditure recently incurred by various local authorities in defending their position before county borough extension inquiries, particularly in the case of Sheffield and Nottingham; whether he will ascertain, and state to the House, the amount involved in each of those two cases, and take such steps as may be possible to prevent such expenditure of public money being forced upon local authorities in the future?
§ Dr. ADDISONI will ask the local authorities to supply the information and will send it to my hon. Friend. In regard to the last part of the question, I have already stated in reply to previous questions that I am considering whether the procedure can be cheapened.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXMay I ask how long the consideration will take?
§ Dr. ADDISONIt is difficult to say.
§ 110. Mr. LANE-FOXasked the Minister of Health whether any action has been taken by the consultative committee to which he referred the question of the expense to local authorities involved in the frequent county borough extension inquiries some months ago; and whether he is aware that, up to 18th June last, the county council of the West Riding of Yorkshire, which is the authority most affected at this moment, had received from that committee no inquiry as to its expenditure in this connection?
§ Dr. ADDISONAs regards the first part of this question, I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Rothwell Division (Mr. Lunn) on the 9th June, and as regards the second part, the general situation as to the cost of proposals under the existing procedure is no doubt within the knowledge of the Consultative Council.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXIs it not a fact that no answer has been received, and no action taken?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have received a Report.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXWill that Report be published, and, if so, when?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am discussing that matter with the Council at their next meeting.