§ 32. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what Scottish local authorities received no Exchequer equalisation grants during the first year of working of the scheme; and what local authorities are receiving no grants for the year ending 31st March. 1953.
Commander GalbraithDuring the first year of the scheme—that is the year 1948–49—the counties of Bute, Peebles and Renfrew and the burghs of Aberdeen, Ayr, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth did not qualify for grant. In the current year, on the first provisional calculation the same areas, together with the county of Dunbarton and the burghs of Dumfries, Dundee, Inverness and Stirling do not qualify.
§ Mr. ThomsonIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this information shows that the aim of the Exchequer equalisation fund to distribute money in relation to local needs is completely breaking down in Scotland, and can he assure us that he is hastening the Report of the Working Committee which is at present discussing this matter?
§ Mr. McInnesCan the right hon. and gallant Gentleman assure the House that the Report of the Working Committee on this occasion, and despite past practice in the Scottish Office, will be made available to Members of this House?
§ 33. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what sum 1055 Dundee received in Exchequer equalisation grant during the year ended 31st March, 1952.
Commander GalbraithDundee did not receive any Exchequer equalisation grant during the year ended 15th May, 1952.