Parish and Community Councils

HC Deb 05 April 1990 vol 170 cc782-3W

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider bringing forward proposals in the next local government Bill to extend the power of the local government Commissoner for Local Administration to investigate allegations of maladministration by parish councils in England and community councils in Wales.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The Local Government Act 1974 did not extend the powers of the Commissioners for Local Administration (the local ombudsmen) to parish and community councils because the existence of parish and community meetings enables any local government elector to raise any question or parish or community business directly with the rest of the electorate. This argument still appears valid.