§ 2.29 p.m.
VISCOUNT MERSEYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to amend the London Government Act, 1963, before April 1, 1965, and, if so, whether they will make a statement.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES (LORD MITCHISON)My Lords, this matter is under consideration and a statement will be made as soon as possible.
VISCOUNT MERSEYMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply, which does not add very much to our knowledge at this stage. May I raise two further points that he may be able to answer? In the first place, I hope that no statement that is going to come will in any way result in power being taken away 322 from the boroughs and given to the Greater London Council, which would be against the whole spirit of the Act. That is the first point I should like to make. The second is this. He is, I am sure, well aware of the considerable staff problems that have arisen out of the change from the London County Council to the Greater London Council. If there are to be further thoughts and amendments of this Act, obviously the problems of staffing and restaffing are going to be aggravated, and I should be very much obliged if he could assure the House on this point.
§ LORD MITCHISONMy Lords, I am afraid that at present I can go no further than the statement I have already made, but I have listened with attention to what the noble Viscount has said and I will see that his remarks are brought to the notice of my right honourable friends who have to deal with the matter.