§ 51. Mr. GORDON MACDONALDasked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of public assistance committees that have refused permission to the Press to attend the general meetings of the committees; and, if he is not in possession of this information, will he take steps to secure it?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI regret that the information asked for by my hon. Friend is not in my possession, and that I do not think I should be justified in asking local authorities to furnish it, since, as I have previosuly pointed out, the matter is one which Parliament has left to the discretion of local authorities. Inquiries which I have made go to show that local authorities are averse from any interference with that discretion.
§ Mr. EDEDoes my right hon. Friend recall that he gave an undertaking some time ago that he would communicate with the County Councils' Association and the Association of Municipal Corporations on this matter in relation to a private Member's Bill, which is before the House? Has he so communicated; and, if so, what was the result of the inquiry?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have already stated in my answer that
Inquiries which I have made go to show that local authorities are averse from any interference with that discretion.