§ 27. Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will make a statement about his recent discussions with a deputation from Essex councils concerning Her Majesty's Government's proposals for local government reorganisation.
Dr. HillI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 18th May to a Question about the boundary of Greater London from my hon. Friend the Member for Esher (Sir W. Robson Brown).
§ Mr. LewisIs the Minister aware that at no time during the last ten years have the Government ever had a mandate for these proposals and that at each by-election and council election, particularly the last one, the Government have lost the confidence of the people? Why are the Government intent on carrying out these proposals when they have no mandate for them? Will not the right hon. Gentleman leave them until after the next General Election to see whether the people support them?
Dr. HillWhen the Bill comes before the House, the hon. Gentleman, like other hon. Members, will have an opportunity of making his views known.
§ Mr. EdeWill the Minister put somewhere in the House a map showing the effect of the alterations which he announced last Friday so that they can be checked?