§ 18. Mr. N. Macphersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Report of the Accountant to the Scottish Education Department for the years 1947–48 was presented to him on 24th March, 1952; and whether he will accelerate such reports in future.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartI am aware of this delay, which has occurred because a few local authorities were in arrear with the production of their audited accounts for that year. A number of local authorities have not yet made their abstracts of accounts for later years available to my right hon. Friend, but he is doing all in his power to obtain them.
§ Mr. MacphersonCan my hon. Friend say what powers his right hon. Friend has to accelerate the rendering of these reports in due time so that they are available to Parliament within a reasonable period?
§ Mr. StewartI do not think my right hon. Friend has any powers but he has very great influence.