§ LORD ILFORDMy 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 when it is expected that a Report may be received from the Royal Commission on the Constitution.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD WINDLESHAM)My Lords, it is not yet known when the Commission will report.
§ LORD ILFORDMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer, which was not substantially different from the Answer that he gave me to a similar Question six months ago. May I ask my noble friend whether it is not highly desirable, in view of the important bearing that the Report from this Commission is likely to have upon the reorganisation of local services and local boundaries in certain parts of England, that it should be available in ample time before negotiations start in earnest?
§ LORD WINDLESHAMMy Lords, the Commission is hard at work and is anxious to complete its task as soon as possible. But this is a major inquiry of very far-reaching significance, and the Government do not believe it would be right to tie the Commission down by requiring it to report by a given date.