§ 42. Captain Waterhouseasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the valuable results obtained by the investigation by Treasury officials into the organisation and methods of Coventry Corporation, he will entertain requests for a similar inquiry from the corporations of other cities.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterWe want to help in this way and believe that this approach has valuable possibilities. The best way in which we can help is by giving such guidance as they need, for example, to groups of local authorities to set up organisation and methods machinery of their own. This was done with our help by the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee last year.
We have not got the trained staff to conduct these investigations at all widely, and, while we will do our best to try to meet any such request as my right hon. and gallant Friend mentions, I can make no promise that it will necessarily be possible to do so in view of the other calls on the limited trained staff available.
§ Miss BurtonWould not the Minister agree that tribute should be paid to the open-minded attitude of the Coventry Corporation in making the investigation?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI have already paid that tribute, as the hon. Lady may be aware, within the boundaries of the City of Coventry, and I will happily repeat it this afternoon.