HC Deb 07 February 1895 vol 30 cc214-5
MR. SEYMOUR KEAY (Elgin and Nairn)

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether the Local Government Board for Scotland has received a letter signed by leading inhabitants of Burg-head appealing against the allocation of parish councillors in the three wards into which the parish of Duffus has been divided—namely, six councillors to No. 3 Ward, with a population of 1,164, while only four councillors are granted to No. 1 Ward, with a population of 1,671, and only three councillors to No. 2 Ward, with a population of 1,464, although the two last named wards contain large seaports and a water and drainage, system; and, whether the approval of the Board, required by Section 9 (1) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, to the number of parish councillors—namely, 13, which have been fixed for the parish of Duffus, will be withheld, or if already granted will be withdrawn, unless the County Council agree to alter the allocation in question; or whether the Board will order an increase in the number of councillors so as to secure a full proportionate representation to Wards Nos. 1 and 2, as they did in the case of the Eastwood Ward in Lanarkshire?

SIR G.TREVELYAN

A letter from six inhabitants of Burghead protesting against the allocation was received by the Local Government Board. The population of the wards is correctly stated by the hon. Member. The County Council fixed the number of parish councillors for the parish of Duffus at 13, and the Board approved it. In the case of a parish like Duffus, which contains no burgh or police burgh, the Board's functions are confined by statute to approval of the total number of parish councillors. The Board has no power to interfere with the discretion of the County Council in allocating the number among the different wards. The case of Eastwood is quite different. In that case the parish contains parts of a Royal Burgh and of a police burgh, and the Board are in such a parish empowered to fix and allocate the number of members among the different wards if (as happened in the Eastwood case) the local bodies fail to agree. Parliament having vested full discretion in the County Council, the responsibility for the allocation must rest with that body.