HC Deb 21 March 1946 vol 420 cc2011-2
15. Sir Frank Sanderson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Middle sex County Council, at their recent annual meeting, co-opted 12 aldermen from outside the ranks of the county councillors, including a number who had failed to secure election at the recent polls; that none of them had had previous experience as county councillors and that the electors were thus deprived from ex pressing their views at any by-election; and if he will consider at the first opportunity amending the regulations relating thereto, with a view to putting a stop to this abuse of the democratic functions of county councils.

Mr. Ede

Section 6 of the Local Government Act, 1933, gives a county council power to elect, as a county alderman, any person who is qualified to be a county councillor, and I have no power by regulation to amend the law in this respect.

Sir F. Sanderson

Does the Minister consider that it is in accord with sound democratic principles that they should exercise their power in this arbitrary manner? Is it conducive to good government?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman is asking for an opinion, which is not quite the same thing as asking for an answer to a question.