HC Deb 13 April 1972 vol 834 cc227-9W
Mr. Tapsell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received the results of the recent plebiscites held in Grimsby and that part of the County of Lindsey which it is proposed in the Local Government Bill be included in the new County of Humberside; and whether he will publish them in the Official Report.

Mr. Graham Page

Many plebiscites, referenda and other tests of public opinion have been conducted with regard to local government boundary proposals on reorganisation. We shall, of course, take full note of local opinion, expressed through people's elected representatives and in other ways. But many other factors must be taken into account connected, for example, with the administration and expansion of services, the location of shopping and employment centres, the main lines of communication and the siting and extent of likely developments in the future.

My right hon. Friend does not believe that the extent of the new Humberside county can or should be decided solely by a plebiscite. As the data emerging from referenda—held in connection with Humberside or elsewhere—can relate to only one factor for consideration, he is not proposing to publish plebiscite figures in the Official Report.

Mr. Bray

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of signatures to petitions that have been received from residents in the Boroughs of Bacup, Haslingden and Rawtenstall together with the Urban District of Rams-bottom objecting to his proposals for local government reorganisation.

Mr. Graham Page

About 22,000.

Mr. Bray

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters he has received from residents of the Boroughs of Bacup, Haslingden, and Rawtenstall together with the Urban District of Ramsbottom objecting to his proposals for local government reorganisation.

Mr. Graham Page

Eight—one from a Haslingden resident and seven from Ramsbottom residents.

Mr. Bray

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the combined totals of letters and petitions he has received from residents in the Boroughs of Bacup, Haslingden and Rawtenstall together with the Urban District of Rams-bottom supporting his proposals for local government reorganisation.

Mr. Graham Page

None.

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