§ Mr. Norman Bowerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning whether, in order to give the longest possible notice beforehand and remove uncertainties, he proposes to make any statement as to possible post-war amalgamation of local authorities in the extra London County Council area?
§ Mr. H. StraussMy Noble Friend has no power to amalgamate local authorities, and I assume that what the hon. Member has in mind is possible combination of local authorities for the preparation or administration of schemes under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932. In a circular to local authorities, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, my Noble Friend has stated that large planning units are desirable, and has expressed the hope that the appropriate method of co-operation will be worked out by the local authorities to the fullest possible extent. He cannot yet say how this principle will be applied in the particular area mentioned in the Question.