HC Deb 17 December 1942 vol 385 cc2056-7
38. Mr. Hannah

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give an undertaking that rural district councils will not be abolished without giving local government electors an opportunity of expressing their opinion?

The Minister of Health (Mr. Ernest Brown)

While I am aware that in some quarters there have been suggestions for an alteration in the present system of local government which would involve abolishing rural district councils, I can assure my hon. Friend that no such suggestions will be adopted by the Government for submission to Parliament without the fullest opportunity for those councils and the communities they represent to make their views felt.

Mr. Hannah

While thanking my right hon. Friend very much for that reply, do the Government realise the very great importance of local government to our institutions?

Mr. Brown

Yes, Sir, and of all democratic institutions.

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