§ Sir P. HURDasked the Minister of Health why, notwithstanding the opposition of the county council, the rural council, and the parish councils, supported by a written objection of substantially all the local government electors of the district concerned, he has made his own proposals and directed a further inquiry by one of his own officials with a view to forcing on the county the extension of the boundaries of the Stroud Urban District, the result of which would be a serious financial loss both to the county and to the rural district concerned?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe Stroud Urban District Council submitted to my right hon. Friend a representation under Section 46 (5) of the Local Government Act, 1929, in opposition to the proposals of the county council, and it was his duty to consider the representation. My right hon. Friend came to the conclusion, after consultation with the local authorities concerned, that there was aprima facie case for an alteration of the urban district and he has accordingly issued a proposal for that purpose. If objections are made to the proposal and are not withdrawn an inquiry must be held, and all the evidence will be thoroughly considered before a decision is given.