§ MR. W. HOLMSasked the Lord Advocate, If he proposes to introduce a Bill this Session to consolidate and amend the Acts referring to Public Health in Scotland, on the same basis as the Bill entitled "The Public Health Act, 1875," now before the Legislature; and, in particular, if he proposes to include a provision for enabling local authorities in Scotland to borrow money from the Public Works Loan Commissioners for sanitary purposes, at as low a rate of interest as has been conceded in regard to loans to local authorities in England?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATEIn 1867 I introduced a Bill into this House for the purpose of consolidating the laws relating to public health in Scotland. That Bill passed into law, and has been in operation since that time, and has given considerable satisfaction in its working. Therefore, it is quite unneces- 711 sary to proceed in the way of consolidating those laws, though it was my intention at one time to introduce a Bill for the purpose of making some amendments with a view to improve the Act. The state of Public Business, however, has prevented me from doing so. At the same time, I am glad to say that I have the authority of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to say that he will consent to my introducing a Bill to enable money to be borrowed in Scotland from the Public Works Loan Commissioners for sanitary purposes, the same as is done in England and Ireland. As this privilege has been granted to the other two kingdoms, I do not apprehend that its extension to Scotland will give rise to much discussion.