HC Deb 22 July 1976 vol 915 cc1998-9
16. Mr. George Rodgers

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress being made by the Boundary Commission in establishing electoral areas for the county council elections to be held in 1977.

Mr. John

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England last month started the first of its reviews of county electoral arrangements in the county of Northumberland. I understand that it is unlikely that any of these reviews will be completed in time to take effect for the 1977 county council elections.

Mr. Rodgers

Does my hon. Friend appreciate the enormous difficulties that will be caused as a consequence of the register not being prepared in time? In Lancashire it is obvious that we shall have to revert to the 1973 electoral register. In this rather ludicrous situation, would it not be possible to expedite the provision of the electoral register for 1977?

Mr. John

Although I recognise what my hon. Friend has said about the difficulties of working to the 1973 electoral areas, I do not believe that it would be possible in this instance to meet his request.

Mr. John Evans

In view of the already heavy burden that the Boundary Commission has to bear, will it be possible for it to draw up the constituency boundaries for direct elections to the European Parliament in 1978 sufficiently early for the political parties to select their candidates and put their programmes before the people?

Mr. John

We believe that that will be possible, but I have no doubt that there is a heavy burden on the commission at present.

Mr. Marten

Would it not be absolutely sensible for the county council boundaries to be finished first before the commission goes on to the boundaries for the European Parliament, because the two are not unrelated?

Mr. John

I do not think that that arises from the original problem. In fact, the commission is proceeding as best it can to district and and county reviews as soon as possible.

Mr. Ford

Is my hon. Friend aware that he may well receive a proposal for the alteration of the ward boundaries in the Bradford metropolitan district, about which there are diverse views? When he comes to make Orders as a result of the recommendations of the commission, will he take carefully into account any objections made to them on behalf of working people as they apply to the ward boundaries to which I have referred?

Mr. John

I take note of my hon. Friend's pre-emptive strike.

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