§ Mr. BARNESasked the Lord Advocate if he was yet in a position to say if the Scotch Office had decided to allow the Scotch parish council authorities to entertain the poor during the ensuing Coronation festivities?
§ Mr. UREThe question raised by the hon. Member is receiving the careful consideration of the Local Government Board for Scotland, and I hope shortly to be able to make a statement on the subject.
§ Mr. MUNRO FERGUSONasked the Lord Advocate whether the Government could meet the wish of the convention of Royal and Parliamentary burghs, that Scottish, like English, burghs should be enabled to raise a rate up to ½d. in the £ to meet expenses in connection with the celebration of the Coronation?
§ Mr. UREI am not aware of an intention to levy a rate up to any fixed amount in English boroughs for the purpose specified. Under the English law (as expressed in the Local Authorities Expenses Act, 1887) it is permissible for the Local Government Board to sanction in advance expenses which might otherwise be disallowed on audit by a district auditor. No such power exists in Scotland, and, apart from private subscription funds, the only method which I can suggest is that of a voluntary assessment.