§ Mr. BARNESasked the Lord Advocate if he is yet in a position to say if the parish council authorities in Scotland will be in a position to entertain the poor on the occasion of the Coronation?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)The Local Government Board has no power to sanction, nor have the parish councils power to incur illegal expenditure. The poor rates can only be expended on the necessary maintenance of the poor, and any expenditure in connection with Coronation treat s or allowances, in excess of such maintenance, would be illegal. If, therefore, such expenditure is incurred, it must be met by voluntary assessment, or by subscriptions.
§ Mr. BARNESTs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Local Government Board in England have issued an anticipatory circular exempting local authorities from surcharges in cases of this kind?
§ Mr. BARNESMay I ask if it is not possible to bring in a short Bill removing this inequality between the two countries?
§ Mr. UREI do not think it is desirable to do so. Scotland, in my judgment stands in a better position than England in this matter.