HC Deb 05 April 1973 vol 854 cc129-30W
Mr. Trew

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he had and what representations he received about a name for the New Kent District No. 9, Sevenoaks District Council; and whether he considers that the name he has chosen reflects the wishes of a majority of the local inhabitants.

Mr. Graham Page

The consultations were undertaken by the Local Government Boundary Commission. The only representations made to the Department direct were in favour of the name Seven-oaks, which had already been recommended by the commission, and I have no reason to doubt the acceptability of the name in the new district as a whole.

Mr. Stainton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the representations to him by Felixstowe UDC and other seaside resorts, he will reinforce paragraph 38 of his Department's consultative document of 30th January on the transfer of property to new councils on local government reorganisation, to ensure that property essential and peculiar to the wellbeing of resorts be vested in the applicable successor parish councils where this is consistent with the general concurrent functions of the new district councils.

Mr. Graham Page

My right hon. and learned Friend will consider the proposals in paragraph 38 of the consultation paper in the light of comments now being received from the local authority asso- ciations and from individual local authorities. In doing so he will not lose sight of the issue raised by my hon. Friend.