HC Deb 06 December 1973 vol 865 cc451-2W
Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to issue any guidance to district councils on the carrying out of the duty to review the parishes in their area under Section 48(8) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Mr. Graham Page

Yes.

Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is his intention to use the powers conferred on him under Sections 48 and 49 of the Local Government Act 1972 to ensure the early review of proposals for detailed adjustments of boundaries which was referred to in paragraph 6 of the annex to his Department's Circular 58–71.

Mr. Graham Page

No. The review of proposals for detailed adjustments of boundaries referred to in the annex to Circular 58–71 is only one of the tasks before the Local Government Boundary Commission, which is under a statutory duty to give priority to the review of local government electoral areas in accordance with Schedule 11 to the Local Government Act 1972.

The Commission proposes, however, to carry out an early review of the priority cases listed in its Report No. 6, which was published yesterday and a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.