§ Mr. Joplingasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in view of the decision to discontinue the Local Government Commission for England and the setting up of a Royal Commission if he is aware that the Local Government Commission recommended the continuation of Westmorland County Council, with the commendation that its services were well geared to the special services; if he will make representations to the Royal Commission that Westmorland County Council should not have to represent their case; and if he will give an undertaking that their future as a separate authority is assured.
§ Mr. CrossmanI am aware of the Local Government Commission's conclusions about Westmorland set out in its Statement of Draft Proposals. While I shall see that the work of the Commission is available to the Royal Commission, it would be inappropriate for me to suggest to an independent body of this nature how it should carry out the new review. Nor would it be feasible for me to give an undertaking on behalf of the Government of the day about the future administration of the area.