§ 22. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many requests to borrow he has received from 998 local authorities during the last three months; and how many of these he has refused.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneMy right hon. Friend's Department has dealt with 756 applications for borrowing consent received from local authorities during the three months ended on 30th April last: 79 of the 756 applications have been refused.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that in Ayrshire the Minister is refusing permission to local authorities to borrow for necessary alterations to the sanitary departments of their village halls, and does the hon. Gentleman not think that it is carrying this economy business rather far?
§ Mr. BrowneThe refusal to grant approval for sanitary and water work has only been made in 35 out of 144 cases. If the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars, I will look at the matter again.
§ 30. Mr. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many protests he has received from local authorities, following the issue of Circular 8802 by the Scottish Home Department.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneThree, Sir.
§ Mr. RossDoes not the hon. Gentleman think he has adequate powers to deal with local authority borrowing without continuing this penal rate of interest?
§ Mr. BrowneThat is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. RossHas the Secretary of State recently been discussing it with Scottish local authorities? What have they to say about it?
§ Mr. BrowneAll steps are being discussed with local authorities in Scotland.