§ 9. Sir PERCY HURDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the scheme for a reform of the method of electing parish councils submitted to his Department by the Rural District Councils Association; and whether, in view of the widespread desire for this reform, he will introduce the necessary amending legislation or, alternatively, favourably regard a private Member's Measure to that end?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second, I would remind my hon. Friend that the question of the election of parish councillors was considered by the Joint Select Committee on the Local Government Bill and that the Local Government Act, 1933, which came into force on 1st June last, makes provision for two alternative methods of election of parish councillors. In the circumstances I am not prepared to consider any further legislation on this subject at the present time.
§ Sir P. HURDIn considering the report of the Rural District Councils' Association, has the right hon. Gentleman discovered that there are certain elements of this proposal which would be of further advantage if they were adopted?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI think we will see the result of the experiment.