HC Deb 24 April 1940 vol 360 cc216-8
83. Mr. Leslie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the objections taken by the Lerwick Burgh Council to the amalgamation of the police forces in the County of Zetland under the Police (Scotland) Act, 1857; that this would mean burdening the burgh with 70 per cent. of the total cost, thus adding considerably to the present police expenses of the burgh; and will he withhold issuing an Order-in-Council directing that the Act shall extend to the county, pending further negotiations with the two local authorities concerned?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland (Mr. J. S. C. Reid)

My right hon. Friend is aware of the views of the local authorities concerned, and is carefully considering the representations which he has received from the town council. If the Act of 1857 is extended to Zetland, one half of the police expenditure and the whole of the pay of police war reserves will be borne by the State, and my right hon. Friend sees no reason to anticipate that the cost to the burgh would be appreciably greater than its current police expenditure.

Mr. Leslie

Is it not the case that the county council and the town council agreed to share the cost equally, and why, therefore, is that not allowed to stand? Is the hon. and learned Gentleman further aware that the town council have agreed to resign in a body rather than submit to what they consider arbitrary conduct on the part of the Scottish Office?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

I am not aware of the fact stated in the last part of the question. With regard to the first part, I do not think I can add anything to the statement I have made.

Mr. Leslie

Seeing that the county council and the town council have agreed to share the cost equally, why not let that stand?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

I do not think that can be done without a special Act of Parliament. If an authority adopts the Act of 1857, it must adopt it with all its financial consequences.

Mr. Dingle Foot

Are we to understand from the original reply that no Order will be made until the representations of the Lerwick Burgh Council have been fully reconsidered?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

All representations that are made will certainly be considered by my right hon. Friend. I cannot promise an indefinite delay, of course.