HC Deb 22 November 1960 vol 630 cc955-6
16. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what objections he has received to the proposal for additional county council representation for Glenrothes; and whether he will give an assurance that the public local inquiry will be completed in time for the May, 1961, local elections.

Mr. Maclay

I have received three objections from members of the county council. The public local inquiry will be held on the 19th December, and it should be possible for me to reach a decision in time for the local elections next May.

Mr. Hamilton

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that decision. It will do something anyhow to remove the impression that the decision to set up a public inquiry was the result of political pressure from the three objectors who, I believe, are all Conservative councillors. Will he repeat the assurance that this will give the local organisations some time to get their candidates into the field for the May elections?

Mr. Maclay

Obviously political considerations cannot come into my mind on the question of public inquiries, but I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answer I have already given, which explains the position.