HC Deb 16 December 1943 vol 395 c1672
27. Mr. Ralph Etherton

asked the Home Secretary the number of local councils whose personnel now consists of more than 25 per cent. co-opted members.

Mr. H. Morrison

As stated on 1st December, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander), to collect statistics from over 8,500 local bodies would involve undue labour, but for the purpose of getting some sample figures I have obtained information from the London County Council and from the Metropolitan boroughs. In 9 of the 28 Metropolitan borough councils the number of co-opted members exceeds 25 per cent. of the total membership: the percentage for the London County Council is between 13 and 14.

Mr. Etherton

Does the Home Secretary not agree that this shows a very dangerous tendency towards making our local government bodies undemocratic? Will he bear in mind the necessity of returning, as soon as possible, to representative government on these bodies?

Mr. Morrison

I quite agree that it is not healthy; but it has been an inevitable consequence of war conditions. As soon as we can get it right, I shall be as pleased as my hon. friend will be.

Mr. De La Bère

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that I am very anxious that he should do it?