§ 68. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to ensure that all communities of local councils include members of minorities on those councils and are open to Press and public.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettMy right hon. Friend has no proposals to make on either of these matters. The composition of local authority committees is best left for each local authority to decide in the light of its own circumstances; it is not a matter on which it would be reasonable to legislate. On the right of admission to meetings, the law already requires council and committee meetings to be open to the Press and public save only where the body resolves to exclude them on grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to public interest.