§ 35. Mr. F. J. Errollasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he has considered the report of serious mismanagement by the Salford City Council, details of which have been sent him; and if he will take steps under Section 6 of the Local Government Act, 1948, to reduce the Exchequer grant to this council until the matter has been rectified.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI am advised that this matter does not come within the scope of my powers under Section 6 of the Act.
§ Mr. ErrollIn that event, will not the Minister take some steps to try to end a scandalous mismanagement by the Socialist-dominated city council?
§ Mr. Charles RoyleWill the right hon. Gentleman say exactly what this serious mismanagement is supposed to be rather than leave it to a nasty imputation by the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll)? Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is an example of the capacity of the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale for butting in on matters that do not concern him?
§ Mr. MacmillanI have seen some reference to this trouble, but I have answered the Question. I do not think that even if these allegations were correct or were absolutely true—[HON. MEMBERS: "What allegations?"] They have been referred to me. I simply say that Section 6 is intended to apply to very serious matters indeed, and I could not think it proper even to consider using it.
§ Mrs. E. M. BraddockMay I ask, Mr. Speaker, in view of the fact that the Minister says he has no control at all over this matter, how this Question comes to be on the Order Paper when hon. Members on other occasions have tried to put down questions with regard to local government and have been told that because the Minister has no responsibility the questions cannot appear on the Order Paper?
§ Mr. SpeakerI see the hon. Lady's point. But the Question asks the Minister "if he will take steps under Section 6 of the Local Government Act." The Minister's answer, if I followed it aright, 187 was in the negative because he did not think Section 6 applied to this sort if case.
§ Mrs. BraddockThe Minister said that it was already known that he had no powers under Section 6. Is not that sufficient reason for the Question not appearing on the Order Paper?
§ Mr. SpeakerPerhaps the Minister can elucidate the matter further.
§ Mr. ErrollDoes the Minister dismiss as mere allegations the report by the City Treasurer of Salford of serious mismanagement of a financial nature in the council?
§ Mr. MacmillanNo, Sir. The advice have given in reply to the Question is that I could not proceed under Section 6 of this Act.
§ Mrs. BraddockThen the Question has no right to be on the Order Paper.
§ Mr. RoyleCould we have the assurance of the Minister that he does not regard this report as containing allegations of serious mismanagement?
§ Mr. MacmillanI do not think it would benefit the position if I were drawn into a matter on which I have been advised that, although I have these powers, it would not be suitable for me to use them.