§ 41. Lord ERSKINEasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that, although the town of Weston-super-Mare pays one-seventh of the total county rates, it has only three elected county councillors out of a total of over 60; and whether in these circumstances, any steps will be taken to secure a redistribution of county council seats in Somerset?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe question of redistribution will come up for consideration under Section 50 of the Local Government Act, 1929, which requires the county council to review the electoral divisions of the county and to report to me before the 1st January, 1933, as to the alterations which are needed in the boundaries of electoral divisions or in the number of county councillors and electoral divisions. As regards the considerations which have to be taken into account in forming the electoral divisions, I would refer the Noble Lord to Section 51 of the Local Government Act of 1888.
§ Lord ERSKINEDoes the Home Secretary agree that this town is under-represented?
§ Mr. CLYNESTo express an opinion would be to take sides.