HC Deb 05 March 1929 vol 226 cc241-2

(1) The provisions of the Town Councils (Scotland) Act, 1900, with regard to the alteration of the number of magistrates and councillors in burghs and to the number of councillors in each ward, and to the division or redivision into wards shall cease to have effect as regards any large burgh, and it shall be lawful for the Secretary of State on the representation of the town council of any large burgh by order to determine of alter the number of councillors and magistrates of the burgh, the number and boundaries of the wards into which the burgh is divided, and the number of councillors to be elected for each ward, and where under any such order the number of councillors for any ward is a number other than three or a multiple of three the order shall make such modification of the provisions of the said Act of 1900 with regard to the retirement of councillors as may be necessary to make these provisions conform to the order.

(2) A reference in the foregoing Subsection to any provision in the Town Councils (Scotland) Act, 1900, shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision in a local Act.

(3) The number of councillors and magistrates to be elected in each large burgh and the number and boundaries of wards into which any such burgh is divided shall, unless and until determined or altered under the foregoing provisions of this Section, remain the same as under the law existing at the passing of the Act.—[Sir J. Gilmour.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a Second time."

This Clause is introduced in response to certain representations that were made, particularly by the City of Aberdeen and Falkirk, though the Clause has also the approval of such burghs as the City of Dundee. It is clear that by the imposition of fresh duties upon some of these bodies it may be desirable to have machinery to increase the number of representatives. Under the Town Councils (Scotland) Act, 1900, there are certain restrictions which we propose under this Clause to remove, in order to meet, for instance, the particular case of the City of Aberdeen. Recently, under a private Act, there was a re-allocation of the areas within the city, and, following upon representations from the City of Aberdeen, it might be more suitable, for instance, merely to add one representative to the existing districts, making it four for each district instead of three, or a multiple of three. We are merely applying the county council procedure to these circumstances.

Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN

I should like, first of all, to congratulate the right hon. Gentleman and ourselves on his return to the House, and to thank him very heartily, on behalf of the City of Aberdeen, for this Clause.

Mr. T. JOHNSTON

I would like to say, in a word, that the City Council of Dundee very much prefer the wording which the right hon. Gentleman has used to the wording which was proposed before.

Mr. SCRYMGEOUR

I wish to express my satisfaction at the response which has been made to the proposals of Aberdeen, and I am glad that it is possible to accept the proposals of the Government.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.