§ 6. Mr. WATSONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received any protest from the town council of Dunfermline against the provisions of Section 8 (7) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, which prevent the representatives from large burghs on the county council taking part in the election of the convener and the county clerk; and if he intends to introduce legislation to remove this grievance?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As I have already indicated, I cannot, in view of the limited purposes for which large burghs are represented on the reconstituted county councils, give any undertaking as to legislation to amend the Local Government (Scotland) Act at the present time.
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs the hon. Gentleman aware that some of the county councils are splitting the work of the education authorities into five parts, which, of itself, necessitates more power being granted in the appointment of either clerk or convener of the council, and, in view of the facts, will he not consider the question of introducing amending legislation?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONThese facts are continually brought to our notice, but the question is purely one of Parliamentary time, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is not in a position to promise Parliamentary time for that purpose.
§ Major-General Sir ROBERT HUTCHISONIs it not a fact that, when this Act was before the House as a Bill-assurance was given by the Government at that time that representatives from large burghs on the county council were just as entitled as anybody else to vote for the convener, and also that they were eligible to be selected as convener?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONWe are informed that what is going on now, the practice that is now proceeding, is within the terms of the Statute, and all that I am able to say is that we are not in a position to promise the necessary Parliamentary time for an amending Bill.
11. Major WOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, though the members of the new county councils have been elected and have held frequent meetings, payment of travelling expenses as provided by Section 17 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, is not permitted till the Act comes into operation in May, 1930; and whether he proposes to take any action to provide for the period of transition?
Mr. W. ADAMSONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. To provide for the period before. 16th May would require legislation, for which there is, I am afraid, no immediate prospect of Parliamentary time, unless a measure for this purpose would be treated as entirely non-contentious.