§ 19. Mr. Prenticeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many letters and resolutions he has received supporting the proposed reorganisation of local government in Greater London and how many opposing it.
§ Sir K. JosephNo count has been kept. Most people have been more concerned with particular proposals than with the general pattern of the re-organisation.
§ Mr. PrenticeWhy has no count been taken? Is it simply that the figures would be inconvenient to the Government's case? Would not the Minister agree that the resolutions and messages he has received confirm the impression that the scheme is opposed by the local authorities themselves, by those who work for them, and by people who are interested in civic and local affairs throughout the whole of the Greater London area?
§ Sir K. JosephNo. Hundreds of stereotyped letters have been received on a number of points, particularly on the borough groupings. Obviously a number of people with special interests have very properly written in on points where they detect weaknesses in the Measure. Human nature being what it is, people do not generally write to Ministers when they are pleased about something.
§ Mr. LiptonHas not the Minister begun to realise that in the not too distant future there will be a Labour Government in power which will wipe out all this nonsense on which he is engaged? Why is he wasting the time of the House and 748 the country with this ridiculous legislation?
§ Mr. DoughtyWhilst dissociating myself from the last supplementary question, may I ask the Minister if he will undertake to look carefully at the objections made by those affected by the proposals and realise that the views expressed are very strongly held by these people?
§ Sir K. JosephI assure my hon. and learned Friend that I am in absolutely no doubt about the strength of the views held by many people concerned.