§ 19. Mr. Alec Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is satisfied that the proposed new local government boundaries will establish district councils sufficiently viable to carry out their functions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. WhiteYes, Sir. One of the principal objectives of the reorganisation of Welsh local government is to distinguish, at both county and district level, 705 areas of adequate resources. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that his proposals will achieve this.
§ Mr. JonesWould my hon. Friend agree that rateable value per head of population is a useful yardstick to measure the viability of a local authority? Would she not agree that under the present proposals, the Rhondda Borough Council will be the poorest authority in the whole of Wales?
§ Mrs. WhiteRateable value is one of many criteria. The quality of the Rhondda in other respects will, I am sure, out-weigh any deficiency in rateable value. I understand that the rateable value of the proposed new district will be greater than that of the present district.