§ 16. Mr. THOMAS KENNEDYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Aberdeen County Council are experiencing difficulty in carrying out their statutory duty to print the valuation roll for the county by reason of the fact that only one firm of printers tendered for the contract at a prohibitive price; and whether he can take any action to enable the county council to carry out their duty by having the valuation roll printed by His Majesty's Stationery Office?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have communicated with the county clerk on the matter referred to in the question and am informed that the county council did receive only one tender which they regarded as too high. There is no statutory obligation on the county council to print the roll and they have resolved to have it type written for the current year. The last part of the question does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. KENNEDYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the offer made in this case was £700 above the contract price of last year and, in view of that fact does he not think that the suggestion of collusion among printers is one which should engage his attention?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir. I have no knowledge of that, and I think action taken by the local authority is the best way to deal with the matter.
§ Mr. STEPHENCould not he arrange to meet this point by the inclusion of an Amendment in the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Bill?