HC Deb 23 December 1937 vol 330 cc2144-5
37. Mr. Ede

asked the Minister of Health what has been the result of the conferences held with local authorities in the Tyneside area on the report of the Royal Commission on local government there; and whether he will make a statement on the intentions of the Government on this subject?

Sir K. Wood

I regret that the proceedings at the conference held at Newcastle on the 16th instant do not support the view that there was any substantial agreement as to the line of action to be taken with regard to the future local government of Tyneside. At the same time there was, I am glad to say, considerable general support for the view that arrangements for the joint operation of certain large-scale services should be further explored by the local authorities, and I understand that this will now be undertaken and in this exploration the Government will render all possible assistance.

Mr. Ede

Am I to understand that the Government do not intend to introduce legislation either in the current Session or the next Session to implement the findings of the Commission?

Sir K. Wood

No, Sir. The object of the conference was to see whether we could get some measure of agreement, either on the majority or minority reports, but from the proceedings over which I have presided and the proceedings which were held on the 16th instant I am afraid there is no likelihood of any common agreement, and I would not myself wish to impose something on the local authorities which they did not desire.

Mr. David Adams

Was there not some measure of agreement between two of the large authorities and two of the lesser authorities?

Sir K. Wood

Yes, there are hopeful signs which I would like to see pressed forward. The matter is dealt with in the last part of my answer which indicates what I think, at the moment, is the most favourable line that can be developed. I need hardly say, speaking for a great many Members of this House, that we would like to see something done in this direction.

Mr. Ede

Are we to take it that the joint boards alluded to, are the joint boards under the existing law, mainly the Act of 1933?

Sir K. Wood

I would not like to define that. I was not present at the final conference, but I hope we shall be able to do something on those lines and, no doubt, I shall be able to report to the House later.

38. Mr. Ede

asked the Minister of Health whether he will publish a financial statement showing the probable effect of the various proposals for reorganising local government on the Tyneside on the rates in each local government area affected?

Sir K. Wood

The financial effect of the schemes of local government submitted by the Majority and the Minority o£ the Royal Commission on the future government of Tyneside depends as was stated in these reports upon certain consequential arrangements which were in either case left for further consideration by the local authorities concerned, and in these circumstances I am afraid that any statement which could be prepared on the available information might be misleading.