HC Deb 04 April 1979 vol 965 cc704-5W
35. Mr. David Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many discussions he has had on organic change with the nine largest district councils and also with the county councils in which those district councils are situated; what representations he has received from those county councils; and what action he is taking as a result of such representations.

Mr. Shore

Since the publication of the White Paper "Organic Change in Local Government" I have heard from eight of the nine districts as a group, and also from Derby, Kingston upon Hull, Leicester, Nottingham, Stoke-on-Trent and Portsmouth individually. Their representations have been broadly in support of the White Paper. Of the counties, Derbyshire, Humberside and Staffordshire have responded individually. Their representations have been broadly opposed to the White Paper. I am now considering these representations together with those of other councils and organisations which have commented on the White Paper.