§ Mr. George Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Ashington Urban District Council was not given the opportunity to comment on the recommendations of the independent committee prior to his acceptance thereof, in view of the fact that there were no representations on his draft scheme of 15th December 1972 which accepted the proposal for two wards for the Ashington area; and if he will make a statement concerning arrangements for the first election of councillors for the new district Northumberland No. 5.
§ Mr. CarlisleA further round of consultation and comment was precluded by the need to announce warding decisions in time for preparations to be made for elections in June. I have no doubt that the advisory committee was right to recommend an alternative to wards326W returning 7 and 11 councillors respectively, while still leaving the Ashington area with the same total of representation on the council for the new county of Northumberland district No. 5.