§ Mr. James Hillasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth 7W Affairs if he will advise all local authorities of the terms and desirability of joining the Council of European Municipalities.
§ Mr. RipponHer Majesty's Government wish to encourage local government to play a more active part in European affairs, and the Department of the Environment will bear this suggestion in mind in its discussions with the local authority associations.
§ Mr. James Hillasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the total numbers of municipalities in each member country of the European Economic Community which are members of the Council of European Municipalities.
§ Mr. RipponIt is impossible to give precise figures as in many cases municipalities are linked with the Council of European Municipalities through local authority associations or provinces. The Council of European Municipalities estimates, however, that the relevant numbers are as follows:
Belgium … … 900 France … … 28,000 Germany … … 25,000 Italy … … 9,500 Luxembourg … … 126 Netherlands … … 900