§ 45. Mr. WADDINGTONasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the many protests by local authorities against schemes being settled by Government Departments which involve heavy additional charges upon the ratepayers without any consultation with local authorities; will he arrange for such schemes to be first placed before the local authorities and to give them an effective voice in determining the needs of localities over which they have jurisdiction; and will he have particular regard to schemes such as the police bonus, housing, and education, as many authorities consider that at least equal efficiency can be obtained with much less expenditure of rates and taxes?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe very wide considerations raised by my hon. Friend could not be dealt with in answer to a question.
§ Mr. BILLINGHave the Government any idea of decentralising some of the legislative powers of this House, having regard to the amount of legislation which this House has to deal with?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat is a rather wide subject and very far from this question, if it means a scheme of devolution.