§ Mr. Charles Morrisonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in the light of the Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government, he will now seek powers to refuse applications for excepted district status.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI do not intend to seek separate powers in advance of the Government's consideration of the reorganisation of local government. The future of excepted districts is part of this wider question on which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government has begun consultations in the light of the report of the Redcliffe-Maud Commission.