§ 27. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is considering the present Scottish 1028 rating system, with a view of introducing legislation to amend it.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Westwood)I regret that in present circumstances I can hold out no prospect of legislation on the Scottish rating system.
§ Colonel HutchisonIs it not a fact that the English question, together with the system of block grants, is coming up for review quite soon, and is not that a suitable opportunity for considering the Scottish question, which, under the present system, and with the Rent Restriction Act, is making it impossible to keep many houses in Scotland in a proper state of repair?
§ Mr. WestwoodAll I can say is that, when the block grants are being considered for England, the block grants will be considered for Scotland.
Major LloydIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that no one will be more disappointed with his reply than his predecessor in office, whose views are fundamentally different from the policy of the present Government, and is the reason for the decision lack of courage or the fact that legislation for England is being pressed to the detriment of Scotland?
§ Mr. WestwoodI do not know what the hon. and gallant Gentleman means by his reference to my predecessor. My immediate predecessor is now a member of another place.
§ Mr. McKinlayWill my right hon. Friend undertake to revise the answer he has given, because it is the same answer that has been given for the last 22 years?