Sir Joseph Lamb: Am I to understand that my right hon. and learned Friend informed us that this matter is under immediate consideration by the local authorities at his request, and that not only his Department but the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education are looking into the matter?
Sir Joseph Lamb: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether part-time special constables and other part-time police auxiliaries can now be released from the war-time restrictions on their freedom to resign.
Sir Joseph Lamb: Does the Minister realise that many of the houses to which he referred will be in rural and semi-rural areas; and does he realise the importance of trying to get back into those areas the small builders who, unfortunately, have been taken away?
Sir Joseph Lamb: Could the right hon. Gentleman consider the export trade as well?
Sir Joseph Lamb: Are the doctors in the Services also members of the B.M.A.?
Sir Joseph Lamb: Will my right hon. Friend give careful consideration to the cases of small master builders who were taken away from rural areas, where there is nothing to do in either building or repairs?
Sir Joseph Lamb: Can we be assured that laundries will be available to wash dirty linen during the coming Election?
Sir Joseph Lamb: Is it not a fact that even where accommodation is found, the shortage of nurses makes it impossible to have them operating?
Sir Joseph Lamb: asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the loss suffered by rating authorities in consequence of the inconsistency in the Railways (Valuation for Rating) Act, 1930, which was disclosed in the case of Worthing Corporation versus Southern Railway; and whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to put the matter right before the period of...
Sir Joseph Lamb: What about the temporary nature of this Bill? My hon. Friend said it could not be extended, but surely no Government can pledge a future Government as to the extension of a Bill, or the bringing in of a new Bill.
Sir Joseph Lamb: I wish to support this Amendment. I anticipate that we may be told that what is asked for in this Amendment is the general custom. I know it is, but I do not see why it should not be put in the Bill. After all, Governments do change, and it is just as well that it should be in the Bill, so that it would place compulsion upon a Government which was not quite so amenable as some we have had.
Sir Joseph Lamb: May I just say a word as a reminder to my right hon. and learned Friend? He mentioned two Members as representing local authorities, but there are many other Members of the sort who have not been mentioned by him and who are equally interested in this matter. I hope that when the occasion arises that he has to decide who are suitable we shall not be left out.
Sir Joseph Lamb: I support the Amendment. As my hon. Friend says, it is designed to improve the Bill and give greater powers to the Commissioners. The County Councils' Association have considered this Bill, and have passed two resolutions. One was in favour of the Bill, and the other was a reservation. The reservation was: That the Committee greatly regret the absence of any provision enabling the Boundary...
Sir Joseph Lamb: Some may and some may not 'be. I have not given numbers in relation to charters.
Sir Joseph Lamb: They all have Charters, but some have a Royal Charter.
Sir Joseph Lamb: What urban services can those boroughs give in which a penny-rate is only worth £13?
Sir Joseph Lamb: I want to answer a question which was put to me about the non-county boroughs. I was asked whether they all had royal charters. They are all boroughs, because places become boroughs by royal charter, but they are not all royal boroughs. With regard to the charge of sweeping away the royal boroughs, I do not think that either the hon. Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Colegate) or I have suggested...
Sir Joseph Lamb: If they think fit. I come now to the point I was going to make before I was interrupted. I cannot think that these people who have been supporting so vigorously the royal boroughs have done anything but a disservice to the royal boroughs in the statements made yesterday. It would lead people to believe that they have put in a claim for special treatment. All I have asked is that what claim...
Sir Joseph Lamb: Is not the question of transport a more potent one than that of supplies?
Sir Joseph Lamb: I beg to second the Amendment.
