HL Deb 12 April 1960 vol 222 cc1046-8WA
THE EARL OF HARROWBY

asked Her Majesty's Government if they will see that in Government publications and reports from Government Committees, areas from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to Northamptonshire or Oxfordshire are described as "East Midlands" and areas west of that as "West Midlands", and not as "North Midlands" or "Midlands" respectively, and that "North" and "South" Midlands should run by counties north and south of Birmingham, seeing that the change would be from falsehood to fact.

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

I regret that the noble Earl's suggestion could not usefully be adopted in practice. The groupings of counties may vary according to the administrative purpose being served. Where there is no identifiable unity, I fear variations are unavoidable.

House adjourned at seven minutes past seven o'clock.