§ 10.7 p.m.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)I beg to move,
That, in the case of a Bill (whether Public or Private) containing any provision which would or might operate to increase Exchequer Equalisation Grants in England or Wales, the Standing Orders and practice of this House relating to provisions authorising charges upon the public revenue shall not be deemed to apply to that provision by reason only of the consequential increase in Exchequer Equalisation Grants in Scotland under the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act, 1954. [Queen's Recommendation signified.]
The need for this Motion arises from the fact that the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act, 1954, has become law during the last few days. The effect of that is that equalisation grants payable to Scottish local 2115 authorities are no longer fixed on the principles of the Local Government Act, 1948, but on the basis of the Goschen formula, that is to say, eleven-eightieths of similar expenditure in England and Wales. The consequence is that a proposal which can affect the total equalisation grants in England and Wales has the effect of increasing those grants in Scotland.
As the consequence of that, Money Resolutions, and indeed Bills, now before this House do not technically comply with the Standing Orders, inasmuch as authority is not provided for the consequential expenditure in Scotland. The Motion has the effect of correcting this position. It is drafted to cover Resolutions during the whole of this Session, as the comparable one which followed the passing of the Local Government Act, 1948, also did. The intention is that new Money Resolutions shall be drafted to comply with the new situation arising from the passing of the Scottish Act, and expenses Clauses of Bills before the House which are at a stage where this can be done will be amended consequently.
The motion is none the less drafted in this general form to cover Bills which are at too late a stage for those steps to be taken, and also to cover late-presented Private Bills. It covers the whole of the Session and it appears probable that in due course it will be necessary to make some minor alterations to Standing Orders.
§ Mr. Emrys Hughes (South Ayrshire)Is this Motion to be discussed by the Scottish Standing Committee?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIf I may, by leave of the House, reply to that question, this Motion is a proposal governing the procedure of the House, and, therefore, it has to be discussed in this House.