Orders of the Day — London Government Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 December 1962.

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Photo of Sir Keith Joseph Sir Keith Joseph , Leeds North East 12:00, 10 December 1962

I am coming to the question of staff movements in a moment.

As for the second criticism to which I want to refer, it is said that our proposals are far too drastic and that it cannot be necessary to destroy the organisations of London County Council and Middlesex County Council and that to do so would have a harmful effect on services. This criticism belittles the magnitude of the problem which London local government faces. The Government believe, and they have the full authority of the Commission for believing, that London government is at the cross-roads. If we cannot find ways within the local government system of coping with the overall London problems, and if we cannot rehabilitate the boroughs, responsible local self-government in the capital with wither. [HON. MEMBERS: "Nonsense."]

Of course there will be many transitional problems and teething problems.