§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the new parliamentary boundaries of Yorkshire have now been agreed by the Boundary Commissioners; what appeals are still outstanding in the United Kingdom; when he expects to lay the orders before Parliament for approval; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MayhewThe information requested is as follows:—
- (1) The final recommendations of the Boundary Commission for England for the counties of North, South and West Yorkshire will not be known until it submits the report of its current general review to my right hon. Friend. If it decides to modify its current recommendations for these counties, the modifications will be published locally and representations invited on them before the Commission submits its report.
- (2) Following publication of its recommendations, whether provisional or subsequently revised or modified, the Commission must allow a period of at least one month to elapse, to give time for representations to be made. The Commission is still receiving representations following publication of its revised or modified recommendations for new seats in Devon, Greater Manchester, Hampshire, Merseyside, Walsall and West Yorkshire. Representations may of course continue to be made to the Commission until it submits its final recommendations to my right hon. Friend.
- (3) As soon as possible after he has received the Commission's final recommendations my right hon. Friend intends to lay before Parliament an Order in Council giving effect to the new constituencies.