§ MR. C. B. RENSHAW (Renfrew, W.)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that in some classified parishes in Scotland no allowance was made for the Exchequer contribution under the Agricultural Rates (Scotland) Act, 1896, when the parish rates for 1897–8 were fixed; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to secure that the amount so received of the Parish Councils shall be distributed during the current parochial year to the occupying ratepayers entitled to relief?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. A. GRAHAM MURRAY,) ButeshireAmple notice of the effect of the Act was given by the Scottish Office to all Parish Councils, both in classified parishes and elsewhere. It is possible that some of them, however, through an unavoidable uncertainty as to the precise amount of the grant, failed to make sufficient allowance for it in raising their assessments. What course should be taken is a question which primarily, at any rate, rests with the Parish Council.