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20.
Mr. Sparks
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to give an assurance that he will not abolish the present regional organisations for housing and planning.
Mr. H. Macmillan
Proposals for the gradual closing of these regional offices over a period are at present under consideration.
Mr. Sparks
Does the Minister know that last week his Parliamentary Secretary said that he had not decided one way or the other on this matter? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he closes these regional organisations it will create great hardship especially for the small local authorities?
Mr. Macmillan
That is why I said that the matter was under consideration.
Mr. Vane
May I ask my right hon. Friend not to be deflected from his policy of closing regional organisations where-ever he can?