ABSTRACT
There are three principal defects in the structure as it at present exists. One is that there are many authorities in all categories which are too small in terms of area, rateable value or population to provide an adequate base for existing municipal services. A second defect is that the structure has engendered a bitter conflict between county councils and county borough councils which has been gnawing at the vitals of local government for the past forty years. The case for the county boroughs seems reasonable until the people look at the matter from the standpoint of the counties. The third defect is that the present structure does not provide for effective performance of services requiring large areas of administration or planning, or both. The Local Government Commission asked the Minister to extend the Manchester and Merseyside Special Review Areas so as to close the gap between them.
