HC Deb 01 June 1937 vol 324 cc825-6
4. Mr. Garro Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that attempts are being made to impose upon members of local authorities who happen to be tenants of council houses certain restrictions upon voting on matters affecting land, buildings, and houses, if the councillors concerned receive any benefit from such proposals, notwithstanding that such benefits are incidental to benefits derived by the community as a whole, or by a substantial part of the community; that having regard to the fact that in the Housing (Scotland) Act of 1925, the definition of land includes any right over land, presumably including common rights, park rights, etc., and that if Section 107 of that Act is to bear the narrow interpretation now sought to be placed upon it, a large number of municipal voters will be disfranchised upon matters which most directly concern them; and whether, if there is any material doubt as to the meaning of the section referred to, he will take steps to bring it into closer accord with practical considerations?

The Lord Advocate (Mr. T. M. Cooper)

As a result of representations addressed to me, a complaint was served on 28th May on a member of Aberdeen Town Council for an alleged contravention of Section 107 of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1925. I anticipate that this case will be disposed of very shortly, and in these circumstances it would be inappropriate to express any view on the questions raised by the hon. Member.

Mr. Garro Jones

While not wishing to prejudice any favourable outcome of this action, may I ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the representations which he received were made by a political opponent of the councillor in question, and that the motive, rather than a regard for public integrity, was a political one; and whether he will take what action he can to see that the outcome of this prosecution is in the true public interest?

The Lord Advocate

I have no knowledge of the facts referred to by the hon. Member, but I can assure him and the House that, in deciding to take this prosecution, I was influenced solely by the consideration that, on the information before me, I thought that an offence had been committed.

Mr. Garro Jones

Does the Lord Advocate recognise that this complaint was made by a political opponent on the same council as the councillor in question?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member is putting the same question that he put before.

Mr. Garro Jones

May I ask for an answer to that question? It affects my constituency very vitally, and I want a plain answer to the question I put: Does the Lord Advocate realise that the complaint on which he has acted was made by a political opponent of the councillor in question?

The Lord Advocate

No, Sir; I have no knowledge of the political views of the person by whom the complaint was made.

Mr. Garro Jones

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman find out?