§ 35. Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Health how many authorities are entitled to administer building laws, regulations or building by-laws; and how many of these have the right to make special regulations applying to their own individual areas with his approval?
§ Mr. E. BrownOutside London, where the relevant provisions are in the London Building Acts and in by-laws which do not require my confirmation, there are 1,440 councils of boroughs, urban districts and rural districts having power under the Public Health Act, 1936, to make building by-laws for their own areas. These by-laws require my confirmation. Of these local authorities eight have special Acts of Parliament, and have not thought it necessary to make by-laws under the ordinary law. Three have in force under a temporary arrangement by-laws which, although of recent date, had been made before the Public Health Act, 1936. Whatever by-laws were in force before that Act have in all the remaining areas ceased to operate; the by-laws which are now in force are substantially uniform in their requirements and have been confirmed since 1936.
§ Mr. BossomDoes not the Minister think it would be desirable to reduce the very large number of separate authorities?