§ 38. Mr. David J. Prydeasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the rating burdens now being borne by local authorities in Scotland and the inevitability of further increases in the next financial year; and if, in addition to reviewing the Exchequer contribution towards new houses, he will also initiate discussions with the local authorities on adequacy of Exchequer subsidies generally, and the continued operation of the de-rating provisions of the 1929 Act.
§ Mr. SnaddenDiscussions are now proceeding with representatives of the local authority associations as to the scope of an investigation into the working of the present Exchequer Equalisation Grant arrangements.
§ 39. Mr. Prydeasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average amount of revenue annually sacrificed by local authorities in Midlothian and Peeblesshire by reason of the operation of de-rating under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929.
§ Mr. SnaddenIf the de-rating provisions of the 1929 Act were repealed the rateable values of Midlothian and Peebles would be increased by about £183,000 and £29,000, respectively.
§ Mr. PrydeIn view of the fact that this Act was put on the Statute Book during the greatest economic crisis ever experienced in capitalist production, as far back as 1929, does not the Joint Under-Secretary of State think that it is now high time that taxation was being placed on the shoulders of those who can pay?
§ measures of control operate whenever cases are notified, including, in particular, the treatment and isolation of patients, and supervision of all contacts that can be traced.
§ Following are the figures: