§ 27. Mr. Bottomleyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government for what purpose he requires local authorities to give him reasons for not putting retiring Regular Service men in the housing list.
§ Mr. SandysFor information.
§ Mr. BottomleyIn view of the earlier remark by the Minister that he always finds local authorities most co-operative, could he not agree, on reflection, that it would be better to ask for this information by letter instead of requesting it by circular? Is he aware that our democracy makes provision for both central Government and local government, and that one is not subservient to the other?
§ Mr. SandysIt was by circular letter.
§ Mr. BottomleyAltogether wrong.
§ Mr. SandysI shall be glad to send the right hon. Gentleman a copy of the circular, which he will find is extremely courteously worded.
§ Mr. BottomleyI have seen the circular. It is customary to treat local authorities as separate entities and not as subservient to the Ministry. Perhaps when the Minister has been in office long enough he will appreciate that.
§ Mr. SandysI do not understand the right hon. Gentleman's point. It is customary and usual, and has been done by every Minister, to ask local authorities by circular for information on certain points of general interest. To judge from the reception given to my statement the other day, this point is most certainly of general interest.