§ 6. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health if he will introduce legislation to ensure that the public and the Press shall be admitted to all meetings of local authorities and their committees.
§ Mr. BevanThe question of securing more publicity for the proceedings of local authorities is being considered by the local government associations, in consultation with my Department. I am very much in sympathy with this general aim; but I can hold out no hope of early legislation.
§ Sir W. SmithersDo the Government propose to enact the policy laid down by the Prime Minister when he was a free lance demagogue, when he said that the local authorities should be governed by regional commissioners, and should not be independent, but Socialist, on the lines of Russian Communism?
§ Mr. George WallaceIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that hon. Members could set an excellent example in this matter in their own constituencies by persuading local authorities to provide accommodation for the public where local authorities have none provided at the moment?