§ 44. Sir WILFRID SUGDENasked the Minister of Health on what principle does he deal with appeals to him under Section 268 of the Public Health Act, 1875, in relation to the failure of local authorities to take into account the degree of benefit provision in Section 10 of the Private Street Works Act, 1892, and to their failure to contribute towards the expenses of private street works under Section 15 of the Act of 1892; and what steps does he propose to take to remove the doubts as to the effect of these provisions which are felt by the legal advisers of local authorities and frontagers, and by these bodies and persons themselves?
§ Sir K. WOODEach case is dealt with on its merits after a local inquiry. Broadly, I may say that my right hon. Friend would not consider it right to interfere with the discretion of the local authority unless it was clear in all the circumstances of the case that their decision was unfair. It has been his recent practice to give reasons for his decision in each case, and this, he thinks, is the best method of removing doubts.