§ 25. Mr. Speirasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he appreciates the difficulties rural district councils are encountering owing to the refusal of the county councils concerned to apply for orders under the provisions of the New Streets Act, 1951; and whether, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of this Act, he will consider the introduction of amending legislation.
§ Mr. SandysI am aware that the New Streets Act, 1951, has caused dissatisfaction. The desirability of amending legislation is being considered.
§ Mr. SpeirDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate the urgency of the problem for rural councils? Does he realise that more development of new streets and new roads is probably taking place in rural areas than in urban and borough areas?
§ Mr. SandysI believe that this Act was introduced as a Private Member's Bill. If any hon. Member should wish to introduce a Private Member's Bill to amend it and to deal with this problem, I should be prepared to consider supporting it.
§ Mr. PannellDoes not the Minister consider that his answer is a trifle unfair? When the Private Member's Bill was introduced, the Minister's Department gave it some sort of beneficent overlooking. If any anomalies exist in the Act surely they rest not upon the private Member but upon the House, and upon his Department for the guidance which it gave?
§ Mr. SandysI hope that I was not casting any reflections upon any hon. Member. If legislation which subsequently proves unsatisfactory is passed, the whole House is obviously responsible.