HC Deb 28 February 1939 vol 344 cc1074-5
52. Mr. J. J. Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what local authorities in Scotland have made complaints to his Department when asked for information arising out of Parliamentary Questions since January, 1938?

Mr. Colville

I do not think that I would be justified in particularising the local authorities who have indicated difficulty in complying, often at short notice, with requests for information asked for in Parliamentary Questions. Such requests may on occasion involve considerable labour and research; and, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, Scottish local authorities, both individually and through their associations, have from time to time made representations about the heavy burden placed on their staffs by demands for complicated statistical information.

Mr. Davidson

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that last week he stated in answer to a question that certain local authorities resented making inquiries arising from Parliamentary Questions, and does he now withdraw that charge against local authorities?

Mr. Colville

No, Sir. What I say is that I do not think I should be justified in particularising the local authorities who have complained about the amount of work involved. So far as I know, no local authority has refused any information, but many local authorities have hoped that the demand for it may be lessened.

Mr. Gallacher

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that many local authorities controlled by Moderate councillors are using this argument to discourage any criticism of their administration by Members of Parliament, even where it concerns housing and health?

Mr. Colville

I can assure hon. Members that the complaints which I have heard do not come solely from councils which have Moderate majorities.

Mr. Davidson

May I ask the Minister not to make such charges in future unless he is prepared to back them up?

Mr. Colville

The hon. Member may rest assured that I make no charge at all, but I must say, in the interests of the local authorities, that some questions require a great deal of research, and that some questions are of very much less public value than others.