HC Deb 01 March 1966 vol 725 cc1079-80
34. Mr. Murton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government in view of the new Government policy on local government reorganisation, what is his policy regarding the present claims of Poole for county borough status.

Mr. Crossman

Consideration of the future status of Poole must await the findings of the Royal Commission to be set up to make a comprehensive review of local government in England.

Mr. Murton

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that as long ago as 1947 a Local Government Boundary Commission recommended certain improvements in the status of Poole, that his predecessor gave certain assurances in 1955, and that the people of Poole will regard the present decision with astonishment and disgust?

Mr. Crossman

I am aware that Poole is a very hard case because of the fact the hon. Gentleman mentioned about the assurances given some years ago. However, I would point out that the time that it would take under our present procedure would mean that Poole could not hope to get any change of status until well into the '70s if I had left the Boundary Commission still functioning.

Sir J. Eden

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there might possibly be something to be said for creating a single urban authority to include Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch?

Mr. Crossman

There is something to be said for that, and it is doubtless something which the Royal Commission will look at carefully when drawing up its final plans.