§ 3. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, the 36 members of large burghs as members of the Lanark County Council will have no deliberative vote in the framing of standing orders or appointment of chairman; and whether the Government propose to make such Amendments to the Act to alter this situation?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThe position is as stated by the hon. Member. In view of the limited purposes for which large burghs are represented on the reconstituted county councils my right hon. Friend can give no undertaking as to legislation to amend the Local Government (Scotland) Act at the present time.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs it to be regarded as a principle that, because business may be small, democratic representatives of the people who are there are not to have the right to vote for the framing of any of the rules or for the appointment of the chairman?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONNo, Sir, but we are bound, as the hon. Member knows, by Statute in this matter, and we have not at the present moment Parliamentary time to enable us to amend it.
§ 4. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the education committee for Lanarkshire county is to be limited to a number that cannot he more than 42 out of 91 members of the county council, and that large burghs will thus be deprived of 50 per cent. of their representation on the one question on which they can speak and vote; and will he take steps to alter this situation?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThe scheme for the constitution of an education committee for the county of Lanark has not yet been submitted by the county council, but I am afraid the Statute does not re- 1184 quire that any specified proportion of members from large burghs should be appointed to the education committee.