§ 54. Mr. Herbert Morrisonasked the Minister of Health whether His Majesty's Government are considering the reorganisation of local government in various parts of the country on a regional basis; and whether he can make any statement on the matter?
§ Sir K. WoodNo, Sir, but I am glad to have an opportunity of clearing up misunderstanding which appears to have arisen. The recommendations of the Tyneside Commissioners raised certain general principles, and I thought it proper that I should have the benefit of the advice on this general matter of the associations of local authorities in the provinces, with whom I accordingly communicated, as well as the observations of the local authorities particularly concerned. I do not expect that the associations will be in a position to furnish me with their observations for some time yet. I should add that the particular recommendations of the Commissioners in regard to the organisation of local government on the Tyneside are still under consideration, and I have not yet received the observations relating to that issue of all the local authorities concerned.
§ Mr. MorrisonWill the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with a certain Conservative morning newspaper in London to prevent it misrepresenting both him and me?
§ Sir K. WoodIf I once began to do that, I should then have to ask the right hon. Gentleman to take on a greater task still, and deal with his own particular organ.
§ Mr. LawsonMay I ask whether one of the right hon. Gentleman's principles is not the levelling out of the cost of public assistance, so that the poorer areas can get some advantage?