§ 55. Mr. Lipsonasked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to restore to local government electors the right to fill casual vacancies on local councils by election?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI know of no sufficient reason in present circumstances for reversing the decision taken by Parliament and embodied in the Local Elections (Temporary Provisions) Acts of 1939, 1940 and 1941.
§ Mr. LipsonDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that the new responsibilities which have been put on local authorities as a result of the war make it necessary that the electors should have some control over administration, and will he not give the matter further consideration?
§ Mr. MorrisonI hardly think that new responsibilities are a good reason. Frankly, as one experienced in municipal elections, it is not too easy to see how the issues would shape themselves in wartime conditions, and I do not think it would be worth while, in view of all the other claims on people's energies, that we should precipitate these elections.
§ Sir P. HarrisWill my right hon. Friend convey to the local authorities that they should give a broader interpretation in selecting persons to fill vacancies, and not take completely narrow party lines?
§ Mr. MorrisonIt was an understanding in the House when the legislation went through that the party representation should not be prejudiced. The only trouble I get is from local authorities who try to take what they call a broad line, which sometimes seems to be rather a crooked one.