§ 78. Mr. Hayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about the present position relating to the discharge of civil defence functions by the Metropolitan Borough Council of St. Pancras; what is the amount now owing by the Council to his Department in this connection; and what undertaking he has given as to the cancellation of the debt awing by the Council in the event of its resuming the discharge of these functions.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerFollowing the decision of the St. Pancras Metropolitan Borough Council to discontinue its civil defence functions as from 1st June, 1957, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and I made Orders under Regulation 4 of the Civil Defence (General) Regulations, 1949, appointing Mr. A. R. Beaumont to be Commissioner to discharge these functions in the name and at the expense of the Council. Mr. Beaumont is still exercising these functions.
Accounts sent to the Council for the period 2nd June, 1957, to 30th September, 1958, total £5,609 12s. 4½d. I had a meeting with representatives of the Council on 16th October and I said that I would await a further communication 12W from them. Under the circumstances I did not then and cannot now say anything further until I receive their answer.