§ 62. Mr. McCorquodaleasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the desirability of permitting existing local authorities to choose the name of any new authority caused by their amalgamation; whether he is aware that in the case of Hebden Bridge and of Mytholmroyd, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, the members of both urban district councils were in unanimous agreement upon the choice of a name for the new authority formed by their amalgamation; and whether he is aware that his refusal to accept their unanimous choice of name is causing considerable dissatisfaction and annoyance locally?
§ Sir K. WoodWeight is always attached to the views of the local authorities in this matter, and I am at present considering communications which I have received from the local authorities concerned in the case mentioned in the second part of the question. I ought, however, to say that I attach importance to the avoidance of names which are over-cumbrous for the purposes of administration.
§ Mr. McCorquodaleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the local authority has again unanimously rejected his choice of names? I hope he will not overrule their decision again.
§ Mr. SutcliffeIs it not also of vital importance that the unanimous opinion of the two local authorities should be respected?