§ 52. Dr. Marshallasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the Government's decisions to establish a new County of Humberside, and to include the boroughs of Scunthorpe and Cleethorpes within that county; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. Graham PageI have very little to add to what my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State said during the Standing Committee's debate on the Amendment, proposed by my hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Kimball), affecting the southern boundary of Humberside. Since then most representations have been received from local authorities south of the Humber setting out their views in the light of that Amendment, and these are being analysed. The replies sent confirm that all views will be borne in mind during the later stages of the Bill's progress through Parliament.
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§ 53. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to encourage the East Riding and Lindsey County Councils to participate in arrangements to facilitate the establishment of the new county authority for Humberside.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe Government have announced their firm view that a new County of Humberside should be established, to include territory on both sides of the estuary. The precise boundaries are open to further consideration, but the Government's intention to bring this new county into existence substantially as proposed in the Bill is not in doubt. In these circumstances I very much hope that the existing authorities will come together at the earliest possible moment to discuss future arrangements, in the interests both of the residents of their areas and of their own employees.