§ MR. CROMBIE (Kincardineshire)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the last payment to account of the grant in relief of agricultural rates in Scotland was made on the 30th December, and that, in consequence, many of the parish councils are paying interest; and whether the balance will be paid them before the books close on the 15th inst?
MR. GRAHAM MURRAYIn reply to the honourable Member it is correct that the payment on account was made on the 30th December. It is expected that the small balance still outstanding will be paid before the 15th instant.