§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is his policy to encourage the early establishment of joint committees of existing authorities within the areas of the proposed new counties and districts.
§ Mr. Graham PageVery strongly. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for the Environment have both stressed the Government's firm intention to ensure that the Local Government Bill will be enacted this Session and that reorganisation will come into full effect in April, 1974. It is of the utmost importance that preparations for reorganisation should be put in hand at the earliest possible moment. A number of joint committees are already in existence and are making excellent progress in their preparatory work. Now that comprehensive proposals are available for the new areas at both county and district level these arrangements can and should be extended—though without prejudice to the ultimate approval by Parliament of the final pattern of counties and districts.