44. Mr. Cherwyndasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a statement on the reform of local government.
§ Mr. SandysI am at present considering the issue of a White Paper on this subject.
§ Mr. ChetwyndCan the Minister say whether he is pursuing this issue with vigour and when we can expect the White Paper to be issued? In the meantime, will he give special consideration to the case of the few, but large, non-county boroughs who are putting in claims for county borough status?
§ Mr. SandysI would not like to anticipate the contents of the White Paper, the issue of which I am considering.
§ Mr. GaitskellDoes the Minister mean that there will be a White Paper containing the proposals of the Government for the reform of local government?
§ Mr. SandysWhat I said was that we were considering whether it would be appropriate to issue a White Paper on this subject. If the White Paper is issued, it will deal with the subject matter of the Question.
§ Mr. GaitskellCan we assume, therefore, that the White Paper will be followed by legislation this Session?
§ Mr. SandysI would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the Gracious Speech, which stated that the Government were considering this matter with a view to the introduction of legislation. There is no change whatsoever in the policy of the Government in this respect.