Clause 2
Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill
11:45 am
Phil Woolas (Minister of State (Local Government & Community Cohesion), Department for Communities and Local Government; Oldham East and Saddleworth, Labour)
My knowledge of the geography of Staines leads to me to conclude that the answer is yes. Members of the Committee may understand that the rateable business rate valuation in that part of Greater London is a highly contested issue. I think that Hounslow and Hillingdon had a boundary change on that basis. As I said, the answer to the question is yes. The Government have a responsibility to ensure the well-being of the whole area, as opposed to absolute consent, which is desirable but not always possible.