§ 47. Mr. MILLARasked the Prime Minister when he proposes to carry out 265 his intention of setting up the committee of inquiry into the working of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, and into the question of Scottish local administration?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)The constitution and functions of local authorities under the Local Government (Scotland) Act only came into operation on the 16th May, 1930, and, until experience has been gained of the working of the Act, I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by setting up the committee of inquiry to which the hon. Member refers.
§ Mr. MILLARIs the Prime Minister aware of the apprehension that exists on account of the alarming increase of rates in certain districts in Scotland more particularly in burghal areas; and will he not institute an inquiry into the facts and the cost of local rating as a whole at the present time?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is one of the reasons why we have to wait a little. Instead of helping to make the minds of those areas settled an inquiry like this would only keep them unsettled.
§ Mr. MILLARIs it not necessary to institute an inquiry now in order to see how the Act operates with regard to the incidence of the rates which are now being laid down.
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo.