HC Deb 01 November 1955 vol 545 cc827-8
22. Mr. Hoy

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what local authorities have protested to him against the rises in interest rates on money borrowed from the Public Works Loan Board.

Mr. J. N. Browne

During this year protests have been received from twenty-eight local authorities, whose names I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT. A protest was also received from the Ayrshire Burghs Association.

Mr. Hoy

May we have an assurance that these protests will be given real attention, and that the Secretary of State will not be bound by the decisions announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister of Housing and Local Government in England?

Mr. Browne

These protests are from 28 out of about 430 local authorities, but the Secretary of State will give full weight to them.

Following are the names:

County councils—
Ayr. Midlothian
Fife.
Town councils—
Ardrossan. Kilwinning
Auchtermuchty Kirkcaldy.
Ayr. Leslie.
Buckie. Lochgelly.
Burntisland. Montrose.
Cowdenheath. Musselburgh.
Dunfermline. Newmilns.
Galston. Pittenweem.
Glasgow. Renfrew.
Greenock. St. Monance.
Inverkeithing Saltcoats.
Kilsyth. Stevenston.
District councils—
Fifth District Council of Ayr.