§ 59. Sir Anthony Royleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to set up machinery through which second-tier local authorities, and Members of Parliament, can complain about the actions of first-tier local authorities.
§ Mr. John SilkinNo. An accusation of maladministration can now be taken to the local commissioner; in a number of other matters my right hon. Friend has specific powers of supervision or confirmation of action. But, in general, local authorities are—within the law—independent bodies responsible only to their own electorate, and should remain so.