§ Mr. CLOUGHasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the plans of various county boroughs in the West Riding of Yorkshire to extend their areas; whether he has received from the West Riding of Yorkshire County Council an expression of opinion that the time has arrived when Parliament should lay down definite prin- 1074W ciples upon which such borough extensions can be carried out; and whether, to avoid heavy outlay of public money and to ensure justice to all the interests concerned, he proposes to enunciate on behalf of the Ministry a specific line of policy on the subject?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. Each proposal must be considered on its merits and with due regard to the particular circumstances. No extension is allowed without first holding a local inquiry at which full opportunity is afforded to all parties to give evidence in regard to the-extension proposed. In regard to the last part of the question, I regret to say that notwithstanding repeated advice which has been given by my predecessors, unnecessary expenditure is frequently incurred by local authorities in connection with these inquiries on the employment of experts and counsel.