§ 15. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will instruct the Boundary Commission-designate to withdraw its letter of 25th April, 1972, in which it states its policy towards local government districts below 75,000 in population until after the local evidence is heard.
§ Mr. Graham PageNo, Sir. The Commission-designate's letter of 25th April does not exclude alternative proposals for new districts below 75,000 population. I understand that such proposals have been made by some of the local authorities in 539 South Dorset and the Commission-designate will of course consider these when reviewing its draft proposals.
§ Mr. KingIf that reassurance is as total as I think, indeed we are grateful. Is it not strange that the Boundary Commission-designate should be prejudging the issue before hearing the evidence and has said something that was in conflict with the assurance that Ministers have given? It is vital that the Commission-designate should take account of local opinion and listen to people from local organisations. I hope my right hon. Friend accepts that.
§ Mr. PageThat is what the Commission-designate intends to do, and I did not interpret the letter as my hon. Friend does. The facts show that of the 278 districts proposed by the Commission, 76 are below the 75,000 figure. The Commission has an open mind on this matter, and I urge my hon. Friend to put his case for South Dorset to the Commission.