§ Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will alter the criteria determining which existing local authorities may be granted successor parish status, so that the municipal borough of Dunstable, Bedfordshire, may be granted such status.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe transitional powers for the Local Government Boundary Commission to recommend and my right hon. Friend to determine that successor parishes be established expire at the end of the month, so the last day for laying an order would be tomorrow. It is thus too late to review the criteria established last year and consider applications afresh. But there is still the possibility of new parishes being established later on the initiative of district councils under the permanent provisions of Section 48 of the Local Government Act 1972.