§ 44. Mr. Edeasked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to take any action to give effect to the report of the Royal Commission on Local Government in the Tyneside area?
§ The Minister of Health (Sir Kingsley Wood)I am afraid I am not yet in a position to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on this subject on 22nd March last.
§ Mr. EdeCan the Minister of Health give any indication when a question on this subject would get a more definite reply?
§ Sir K. WoodNo, Sir; the report raises large issues which will require careful consideration, involving some time.
§ 61. Mr. Edeasked the Minister of Health whether he will publish a statement showing the financial effect of applying the recommendations of the report of the Royal Commission on Local Government in the Tyneside area?
§ Sir K. WoodIt would not be possible to estimate with any degree of accuracy the financial effect of the re-distribution of services recommended by the majority of the Royal Commission.
§ 62. Mr. Edeasked the Minister of Health whether he will publish the evidence tendered to the Royal Commission on Local Government in the Tyneside area?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleI have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 29 25th January to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin (Sir A. Wilson).
§ Mr. EdeArising out of the answer, and especially in view of the reply given to the previous question, is it not clear that no real decision can be reached in the locality without some knowledge of the evidence tendered by neighbouring authorities?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleA cyclostyled copy of the evidence is available to hon. Members and similar copies have been supplied to the local authorities concerned and to certain other interested parties who have applied for them. Beyond that I am afraid I cannot go.