HC Deb 16 March 1893 vol 10 cc249-50
MR. HOZIER

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland what legal authority he had for permitting, as in the case of Ross-shire, the payment out of the rates of the travelling expenses of County Councillors attending County Council meetings?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

I explained to the House the view taken by the Scottish Office on the question of payment of expenses by County Councils. That view has been embodied in a Circular and goes to-day to all County Councils in Scotland. No expenses of County Councillors have been sanctioned, or will be sanctioned, except in accordance with that Circular. The advice on which a Minister acts is a matter for himself alone.

MR. HOZIER

Was the advice given on the 28th December legal or illegal?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

It was not advice on which eventually we acted.

MR. HOZIER

Is the letter withdrawn?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

Of course it is.