§ 4.18 p.m.
§ Debate resumed.
§ LORD NEWTONMy Lords, may I now revert to the West Midlands Order, and also have your Lordships' permission for so doing, because I have already spoken once on this Order, as, I think, have several noble Lords? I have only one or two things to say very shortly. First, I feel very much happier since the last speech of the noble Lord, Lord Mitchison, than I did before as regards consideration being given to other and alternative forms of organising local government in the country. At the same time, I recognise that my noble friend Lord Grimston of Westbury may still feel that not enough consideration was given. Although this is a highly controversial matter, it is not a Party political, controversial matter. Therefore, I am not sure to what extent it is appropriate for me to offer any advice to your Lordships. If it is appropriate, then my advice would be that, as this controversy has been going on for a very long time indeed, ever since 1959, and as this Order has been passed in another place without a Division. I would feel that your Lordships ought also to pass this Order now.
§ On Question, whether the said Motion shall be agreed to?
849§ Their Lordships divided: Contents, 69; Not-Contents, 12.
| CONTENTS | ||
| Aberdare, L. | Gridley, L. | Plummer, Bs. |
| Aberdeen and Temair, M. | Hankey, L. | Rea, L. |
| Addison, V. | Harvey of Tasburgh, L. | Royle, L. |
| Amulree, L. | Henderson, L. | St. Aldwyn, E. |
| Auckland, L. | Henley, L. | St. Davids, V. |
| Beswick, L. | Hughes, L. | St. Just, L. |
| Boston, L. | Hurcomb, L. | Segal, L. |
| Bowles, L. | Iddesleigh, E. | Shackleton, L. |
| Bridgeman, V. | Jellicoe, E. | Shepherd, L. |
| Carrington, L. | Leatherland, L. | Silkin, L. |
| Champion, L. | Lindgren, L. | Sorensen, L. [Teller.] |
| Citrine, L. | Listowel, E. | Stonham, L. |
| Clwyd, L. | Lloyd of Hampstead, L. | Strabolgi, L. |
| Cohen, L. | Longford, E. (L. Privy Seal.) | Strang, L. |
| Devonshire, D. | Lothian, M. | Stuart of Findhorn, V. |
| Drumalbyn, L. | Lucas of Chilworth, L. | Summerskill, Bs. |
| Erroll of Hale, L. | Macphcrson of Drumochter, L. | Tenby, V. |
| Ferrers, E. | Massereene and Ferrard, V. | Wade, L. |
| Forster of Harraby, L. | Merrivale, L. | Wakefleld of Kendal, L. |
| Fortescue, E. | Mitchison, L. | Walston, L. |
| Gage, V. | Newton, L. | Williams, L. |
| Gardiner, L. (L. Chancellor.) | Ogmore, L. | Wolverton, L. |
| Goschen, V. | Phillips, Bs. [Teller.] | Wootton of Abinger, Bs. |
| NOT-CONTENTS | ||
| Brentford, V. | Grimston of Westbury, L. [Teller.] | Long, V. |
| Daventry, V. | MacAndrew, L. | |
| Effingham, E. | Howard of Glossop, L. | Newall, L. |
| Greenway, L. | Inglewood, L. | Sandys, L. [Teller.] |
| Soulbury, V. |
§ Resolved in the Affirmative, and Motion agreed to accordingly.