§ 14. Mr. Lubbockasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the London Boroughs Committee about the timing of the borough elections in Greater London; and what reply he has made to them.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe Committee has recently informed me that 27 of the 32 London borough councils favour amending the London Government Act, 1963, to provide for elections to the Greater London Council and to the London Borough Councils to be held in different years; and that 20 of the councils wish the change to be effected by postponement of the London borough elections from 1967 to 1968. The Committee has been informed that its representations are being considered.
§ Mr. LubbockIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the suggestions of the London Boroughs Committee will be widely welcomed by electors in Greater London who found it confusing to have two sets of elections so close together, as we had in the first instance; that great administrative difficulty is created in the local authorities concerned; and that changes in the boroughs of Greater London which are at present being considered will not be completed in time for the 1967 borough elections?
§ Mr. JenkinsI will certainly bear those points in mind, and I will consider sympathetically the representations that I have 927 received. However, to make the change requires legislation, which confronts us with considerable difficulties from the point of view of time.