HC Deb 03 April 1969 vol 781 cc638-9
27. Mr. Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the Association of Municipal Corporations about the powers to be assigned to the district level in Welsh local government re-organisation; and what reply he has sent.

Mrs. White

The tenor of the Association's representations is that a wider range of functional responsibilities should be allocated to the district level. The Association have been told that their views will be carefully considered along with those of the other local authority associations.

Mr. Anderson

Is it not a fact that all the firm decisions so far taken amount to a shift to the county level and away from the district level and that there is a danger of taking away local government responsibility in Wales? If the district levels are left only with the more minor functions of parks, cemeteries, and so on, will not the right calibre of local councillor and official cease to be attracted to local government service?

Mrs. White

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension because there has been no question of taking anything away other than what has been discussed in relation to the rating function. All the other functions appropriate to district councils will remain with them.

29. Mr. Gibson-Watt

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, without prejudice to any final scheme for local government reorganisation in Wales, he will seek to make housing one of the functions of the proposed new counties instead of leaving it with the proposed new district councils as laid down in the White Paper on Local Government in Wales.

Mrs. White

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend proposes to leave housing as a district level function.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Would the hon. Lady say what further meetings her right hon. Friend intends to have with the local authorities concerned? Does she foresee that local government reform in Wales will take place fairly soon, or are the Government leaving it to the next Government to deal with it?

Mrs. White

As the hon. Gentleman knows, a series of meetings have been held with representatives of the local authorities and interests concerned. These meetings are continuing; they are not yet concluded. My right hon. Friend has indicated that if they wish to make any comments following the report of the Royal Commission on Local Government in England and Scotland it will be open to them to do so.