§ Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to allow district councils to grant freedom to local regiments or other armed forces units; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeSection 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 already provides that district councils having the status of a city, borough or royal borough may confer honorary freedom on persons of distinction and persons who have rendered eminent services to the city, borough or royal borough. I understand that some boroughs have in the past exercised the power under section 249(5) in favour of local regiments but the interpretation of the powers conferred by section 249(5) is for the courts rather than Ministers.