HC Deb 24 July 1958 vol 592 c658
21. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has reached a decision on the proposals of the Westminster City Council with regard to the alteration of the number and boundaries of the wards of the City of Westminster.

Mr. Renton

My right hon. Friend is considering the report of the inquiry held into the City Council's proposals, and hopes to give his decision shortly.

Mr. Donnelly

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, under the existing arrangement, a vote in Pall Mall has six times the value of a vote cast in Westminster, where I live? Is he further aware that representations have been made to me by some of my neighbours that we might have to resort to the methods so successful in Iraq to secure a change in the City Council? Can he give an assurance that, before the next election, new arrangements will be made, and that, in order to remove them, it will not be necessary to assassinate some of the Westminster City Councillors?

Mr. Renton

I do not think we can discuss the merits of these proposals now. This is not the occasion to hold a fresh inquiry.