§ 37. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to state whether the Government will bring 887 in legislation extending the life of Section 1 of the Local Authorities (Financial Provisions) Act, 1921?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Major Boyd-Carpenter)I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to a previous question by the hon. Member last Monday.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that unless something is done to renew the Act this Session, a large number of very poor boroughs in London will simply be bankrupt? As I postponed the question till to-day, can I get an answer to-morrow or on Monday? When will the Minister be able to make up his mind and give a definite answer?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERIt is quite impossible to say when Ministers can make up their mind and give definite answers, but I can assure my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend is considering the matter in conjunction with those responsible, and that there will be no undue delay.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister has told us that he hopes to wind up this Session in a day or two; is he aware that there is no time to lose if we are to have this Act renewed in time to give these poor boroughs the relief they need; and is he aware of the fact that, to their credit, the richer boroughs do not object to the renewal of this Act?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERI am aware of all those considerations.
Mr. T. THOMSONWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider at the same time the extension of the same Act to the necessitous boroughs in the counties?