§ Mr. Ginsburgasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what decision he has reached with regard to the proposals of the Local Government Commission for the West Yorkshire Special Review Area; if he will make a statement; and what steps he is taking to inform the local authorities concerned of his decision.
§ Mr. CrossmanI have been carefully examining the outstanding proposals of the Local Government Commission to decide which I should implement in the period before the Royal Commission on Local Government reports.
The problems of local government in the West Yorkshire Special Review Area exemplify many of those likely to be at the heart of the Royal Commission's studies. Before therefore I reach firm 68W conclusions on the proposals of the Local Government Commission for that area in the light of the reports of the Inspectors who held the local inquiries, I intend to consult the Royal Commission, to make sure that my general approach to the proposals is compatible with the broad thinking which they are developing.
No change could take effect before April 1968, at the very earliest.
I propose to bring this answer to the attention of the councils in the area.