§ 16. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the advisability of permitting the measure postponing local government elections to lapse in the autumn, so that electors may have the opportunity of choosing their own councillors; and if he will introduce any necessary legislation.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI recognise that in the view of my hon. Friend the advantages of holding local elections outweigh the reasons for which Parliament decided last December to renew the suspending Act for another year, but I do not think that since the date when Parliament took that decision there has been such a change in the circumstances as would justify the Government in making a definitive statement at the present time.
§ Mr. ManderDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that we are approaching a period when town councils might be allowed to become once more democratic bodies, and will he bear that in mind in coming legislation?
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, Sir, I will keep that in mind. We are approaching some future period which must raise that question in an acute form.
§ Mr. Hugh LawsonIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of persons who had previously been rejected by the electors have been co-opted on to local councils?