§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether he will take steps to give effect to the recommendation of the Committee on the Management of Local Government, paragraph 286, concerning the giving to local authorities of a general competence to do, in addition to what legislation already requires or permits them to do, whatever in their opinion is in the interests of their areas or their inhabitants subject to their not encroaching upon the duties of other governmental bodies and to appropriate safeguards for the protection of public and private interests;
(2) whether he will issue a circular to local authorities urging them to put into effect the main recommendations of the Committee on the Management of Local Government, in particular conducting a radical review of the functions and responsibilities of members and officers, establishing a management board as outlined in Chapter 3 of the Committee's report, reducing the number of committees by the grouping of functions under advisory committees, and fostering better public relations, in particular by admitting the Press to meetings of most committees.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Mr. Roy Hughes) on 13th June.—[Vol. 748, c. 51–2.]