§ 2. Mr. Eric Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he is proposing to introduce the necessary legislation to modify the instructions to the Boundary Commissioners for the redistribution of Parliamentary seats.
§ 10. Mr. Peakeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of constituencies in respect of which representations have been made to the Boundary Commissioners for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in accordance with the procedure and within the time limit laid down in paragraph three of Part III of the First Schedule to the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act, 1944.
§ Mr. Ede311, 23, 14 and 3, respectively, Sir; but the time limit has not yet expired in respect of a few constituencies.
§ Mr. PeakeCan the right hon. Gentleman say, as regards those representations, how many are concerned only with the name of the proposed new constituency and how many relate to more substantial matters, such as the area?
§ Mr. EdeNot without notice. If the right hon. Gentleman, with whom I hope to have some conversation on this matter, will give me a list of the details he would like, I will try to meet them, and then, if he will put a Question down, answers can be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ 11. Mr. Peakeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of local inquiries ordered to be held by the Boundary Commissoners under Part III of the First Schedule to the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act, 1944; in how many cases have reports been received; and in how many cases are inquiries still proceeding.
§ Mr. EdeThree in England, relating to a total of seven constituencies, and one in Scotland relating to two constituencies. In each case the inquiry has been completed. I understand that a number of other local inquiries would have been ordered had not the Commissions suspended consideration of representations in view of the proposed introduction of amending legislation.
§ Mr. BeechmanWill the Home Secretary say that, in cases where there have been inquiries, the representations which have been made are taken into consideration, when changes are made, so that local authorities and others need not make representations all over again?
§ Mr. EdeI am very reluctant to take any steps myself that might appear to be interfering with the work of the Commission, or in giving them directions; but I am quite sure that the point which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned will be borne in mind by the Commissioners when they re-examine the whole of the proposals.