§ 66. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Secretary of Skate for Scotland whether he will explain the difference between the sum of £423,164 which the corporation of Glasgow assert they will have to contribute under Section 45 of the Unemployment Assistance Act, 1934, and the sum of £189,668, which is the figure issued by the Scottish Office?
§ Sir G. COLLINSAs the reply is somewhat long and involves a number of figures, I propose, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREWill my right hon. Friend see that adequate publicity is given to this answer so as to dispel the misapprehensions that are held in Scotland on this subject?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI shall take every possible step to see that the statement that I have made is amply reported in Scotland.
§ Following is the answer:
§ From the figure of £423,164 there should be deducted £24,000 (that is, 60 per cent. of the Distressed Areas Grant of £40,000) leaving a contribution of approximately £399,000 to be made by the corporation. In order, however, to arrive at the net charge falling on the ratepayers of Glasgow there should be deducted a further sum of £209,332 that being the amount of the block grant appropriate to the expenditure of £1,379,000 transferred from the corporation to the Unemployment Assistance Board which grant the corporation are being allowed to retain notwithstanding the transfer. The net charge to the Glasgow ratepayers as shown in the table published in the OFFICIAL REPORT of 22nd July is, therefore, £399,000 less £209,332 or a total of £189,668. For further details as to the relative proportion of expenditure to be borne by the corporation and by the Exchequer, I would refer to the reply given to the question by the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. N. Maclean) on 21st May last.