53. Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can now state when he will bring forward the proposal of the Treasury for the administration of the special Grant for the Highlands and Islands; and whether, in view of the pressure of work in the various Departments, he would take into consideration the advisability of appointing the Local Government Board of Scotland to administer the Grant in conjunction with the Insurance Commissioners?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAs I stated yesterday in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Midlothian, it is proposed that the Grant should be administered by a Joint Committee of the several Government Departments concerned, in accordance with the Report of the Departmental Committee. I am unable at present to state when the proposals for administering the Grant will be introduced.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it a fact that this Joint Board is being constituted to administer £40,000 a year, and how much of the 1061 £40,000 will be absorbed in administrative expenses?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI cannot answer that off-hand.