HC Deb 14 July 1964 vol 698 c996
2. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why there is no Dorset representative on the new Somerset River Board, in view of the fact that a large area of Dorset is included in the new authority's area.

The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Sir Keith Joseph)

Dorset will contribute only 2 per cent. of the Somerset river authority's precepted income; the Act requires local authority members to be allocated having regard to rateable resources: and that is why Dorset has no member on this authority.

Mr. Digby

Is it not a fact that there are to be no fewer than 27 members on this new authority and that the whole of one Dorset U.D.C., the whole of an R.D.C. and part of another R.D.C. are all in the area of this board? Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is some resentment caused by the feeling that their future is being determined and that they are having no control over it?

Sir K. Joseph

The Act lays down that local authority members, who are to form the majority on the board, shall be elected according to rateable resources. Dorset has five members on the Avon and Dorset river authority.