HC Deb 25 July 1946 vol 426 cc196-8
20. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the directions against the overlapping of Parliamentary and local government boundaries contained in the Third Schedule to the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act, 1944, the Government will undertake, before draft- ing legislation to give effect to any recommendations of the Parliamentary Boundary Commissions for England and Wales, to consult the Local Government Boundary Commission and the Reading Com-mittee on London Local Government.

Mr. Ede

This point has not escaped attention, but I understand that the work of the Local Government Boundary Commission is likely to continue for some time, and at whatever date during the lifetime of the present Parliament a Redistribution Bill is introduced, some constituencies will be liable to be affected shortly afterwards by change in local government boundaries. It may, therefore, be found best to give effect to recommendations from the Parliamentary Boundary Commission based on the local government boundaries existing at the date of this review, and subsequently to make adjustments as a result of further reports submitted from time to time by the Boundary Commissions under the standing machinery for which the Redistribution of Seats Act, 1944, makes provision.

Mr. Keeling

Is it not very unsatisfactory and very unsettling to all concerned if Parliamentary redistribution is carried out without consideration of probable changes in local government boundaries, and with the result that the work would have to be done all over again? Why cannot Parliamentary redistribution be postponed for, say, a year, until the Local Government Commission's views have been obtained?

Mr. Ede

The reason is that after conferences with representatives of both Boundary Commissions concerned, I am satisfied that no substantial number of local government boundary decisions will have been reached within a year. It is very desirable that we should first have the review of Parliamentary constituencies, which will have to be done by a Bill as soon as possible, and thereafter, as the Local Government Boundary Commission representations are received, the amendments by Order in Council, which was the arrangement made by the last Parliament, can be carried through. The whole consideration of this matter makes me think that the sooner we have the Bill the better, so that the subsequent proceedings can be carried through without undue pressure on Parliamentary time.

Sir Waldron Smithers

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an approximate date when he hopes to introduce the Bill?

Mr. Ede

That will depend upon the date on which His Majesty's Government receives the report from the Boundary Commissions.

Sir W. Smithers

When does the right hon. Gentleman hope to receive that report?

Mr. Turton

As the General Election is not to take place until 1st April, 1950, surely there is no hurry about it?

Mr. Ede

Without accepting the date, which seems to me to be rather early, I commend that suggestion to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling).