§ 25. Sir D. Walker-Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that the current Parliamentary Register shows that, on the revised constituency boundaries promulgated in the Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order, 1969 there are 20 constituencies with an excess over the prescribed electoral quota exceeding 20,000 electors and 20 constituencies with a shortfall below the said quota exceeding 17,000 electors ; what steps he proposes to take to deal with these anomalies.
§ Mr. MaudlingThese are matters to be dealt with in the next general review by the Boundary Commission.
§ Sir D. Walker-SmithIs not the position already very much out of date, and is it not a little hard that in constituencies such as mine redistribution has had the effect of severing old and valued associations without bringing about any sensible 1668 electoral result? Will not my right hon. Friend look at this again to see whether we should not revise the procedures to make them more prompt and punctual?
§ Mr. MaudlingThat would involve legislation. The Boundary Commission is required by Statute to report within 10 to 15 years of the date of its last report, that is to say, between 1979 and 1985, and that is the law.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesBearing in mind the long period that has to elapse before the general review, will the right hon. Gentleman advise the House at what stage minor reviews could take place in the distribution of seats?
§ Mr. MaudlingI think I am right in saying that the Commission has power within its discretion to make interim reviews, but these are normally confined to small matters and not to the general principle referred to in the Question.