§ MR. EUGENE WASON (Clackmannan and Kinross)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the Parish Councils in England are to be permitted to meet the expenses of the Coronation celebrations out of a compulsory rate; and whether he will give orders that a similar permission is given to the Scotch Parish Councils, should they desire to exercise it.
§ * THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. A. GRAHAM MURRAY,) ButeshireThe English Local Government Board in the case of local authorities, whose accounts are subject to audit by the Board's auditors, have power, under the Local Authorities (Expenses) Act, 1887, to authorise the charging of such expenditure against the statutory rates. Neither the Secretary for Scotland nor the Local Government Board for Scotland possess a similar power. I would like to add, for the information of the hon. Member and the local authorities in whose interests he puts the Question, that, in the opinion of the Secretary for Scotland as advised, any rate or contribution, for the purpose aimed at, must accordingly be of a voluntary nature, clear intimation being given on the assessment notice or invitation to subscribe that payment is not compulsory.