§ 55. Mr. PRATTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the Local Government Board for Scotland have recently expressed the opinion that no exemption from payment of occupiers' parish council assessments can be allowed by parish councils in respect of houses occupied by Belgian refugees unless the name of a Belgian refugee is entered in the valuation roll as the occupier and an appeal lodged with the parish council on the ground of inability to pay; and, if so, whether he proposes any remedy whereby patriotic citizens providing accommodation for these Belgian refugees, and consequently entered in the valuation roll, will not be penalised by having to pay such assessments because of such tenancy?
The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood)The opinion expressed by the Local Government Board for Scotland is in accordance with the law. The answer to the latter part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative.
§ 57. Mr. PRATTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that on or about 18th June last application was made by or on behalf of a Glasgow gentleman, who for months previously had extended hospitality to a Belgian boy of fourteen years of age, for permission to take the boy along with his family on their summer holiday to Ross-shire, and that permission to do so has been refused; whether anything will be done to secure that the boy may still be able to have a holiday with the people who have been extending hospitality to him?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI am aware of the facts of this case. The grant or refusal of a permit is a matter which rests primarily with the chief constable, who acts in consultation with the military authorities, and I am not prepared to interpose in the matter.