asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now consider changing the date of borough council elections to a more suitable month of the year.

I cannot at present add anything to the reply given on 18th November to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Central Bristol (Mr. Awbery).

What obstacle is now holding up a fairly early decision on the subject?

I hope to arrive at a fairly early decision, but I must have regard to the report I have received dealing with electoral reform from the Committee presided over by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary.