§ 14. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many parliamentary constituencies in England have not yet been examined by the parliamentary Boundary Commission in its current review of English parliamentary constituencies; when he expects those not yet examined to be examined; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrittanThe Boundary Commission for England has yet to publish provisional recommendations in respect of 16 counties, which at present comprise 168 whole parliamentary constituencies 607 and parts of 49 other constituencies. The Commission expects to have completed its task of reviewing all parliamentary constituencies in England in 1982.
§ Mr. MadelAs the process of inquiry is inevitably proving lengthy, does that answer indicate that the Commission will find it difficult to complete its work in 1982? Should not Parliament look again at the guidelines which the Commission must observe in relation to imminent population increases in certain constituencies?
§ Mr. BrittanI have no reason to doubt that the Commission will be able to finish its work in 1982. The answer that I gave is a reflection of the progress which the Commission is making in its work. As to my hon. Friend's second point, although the Commission is not statutorily required to have regard to imminent changes in electorates, it has said quite clearly in paragraph 17 of its document that such changes are a factor in its consideration of alternative schemes.
§ Dr. Edmund MarshallWill the Minister confirm that the Boundary Commission for England is a totally independent body, which is subject to neither controls by nor any form of pressure from the Government of the day, and that the only statutory constraint on the timetable of the present general review is that it must be completed not later than 21 April 1984?
§ Mr. BrittanThat is an impeccable statement of the constitutional position, but I do not think that it is objectionable for hon. Members to ask how the Commission is getting on with the review.