HC Deb 05 December 1961 vol 650 cc1128-9
21. Mr. Farr

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when a public inquiry will be held to investigate objections to the Local Boundary Commission's proposals to merge parts of Leicestershire with the City of Leicester.

Dr. Hill

I cannot give a precise date but I expect to arrange this inquiry in the spring.

Mr. Farr

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have received over 5,000 letters strongly objecting to these proposals? Will he hold the inquiry as soon as possible so that over 20,000 people will have the opportunity of expressing their views through their representatives and be put out of their uncertainty as to whether they will remain in the City or the County of Leicester?

Dr. Hill

The opportunity for objectors will come in due course. The West Midlands investigations, which were the subject of a report before the investigation to which my hon. Friend refers, of themselves involve fifteen public inquiries. So it is not possible to start the inquiry in which my hon. Friend is interested until the spring.