§ 42. Mr. Lyonsasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the apprehension now being caused by the generally increasing rates in industrial cities and boroughs, he will consider calling a representative conference to determine the practicability of ensuring that local expenditure be kept within the bounds of existing income and not liable to arbitrary expansion by continuous rate increases?
§ The Minister of Health (Sir Kingsley Wood)The duty of securing efficient and economical administration rests primarily with the individual local authorities and I have from time to time emphasised this important aspect of their work. I do not think the suggestion made is one which would be likely to be helpful at present.
§ Mr. LyonsIn view of the great anxiety which is felt by a large number of ratepayers at this intolerable burden which is in no way justified, will the Minister of Health consider the representations which are sent to him from time to time to stop the spending by local authorities in what.are totally unnecessary directions?
§ Sir K. WoodI have not received representations of that kind.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that local authorities are spending unnecessarily?
§ Sir K. WoodI was going on to say that I will investigate these cases.
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsIs it desirable that local expenditure should now be one-quarter more than it was nine years ago?