§ 15. Mr. Formanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with representatives of local authorities on the question of housing subsidies.
§ 26. Mr. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the subject and the outcome of his recent discussions with local authority representatives.
§ Mr. J. StuartI met representatives of the three local authority associations on 20th April, when a Working Party of 1817 officials from the two sides was set up to ascertain all the relevant facts about housing subsidies. I hope to have their Report in June, when I shall resume discussions with the associations.
§ Mr. Forman1 thank the right hon. Gentleman for that Answer, but could he tell us if the purpose of the meeting was to indicate to the local authorities that he proposes to reduce the housing subsidies in Scotland?
§ Mr. StuartI asked the local authorities to consider what should be done for the future, but these discussions are on a confidential basis and I think that it would be better to await the Report of the Working Party.
§ Mr. WoodburnCan we take that Answer as an assurance that the Secretary of State has no ulterior motive in getting local authorities and officials to find out what he calls the facts? Has he given any indication that those facts have to be produced in such a way as to justify a reduction in subsidy?
§ Mr. StuartI can only repeat that it will depend on the results of the discussions in progress.
§ Mr. RossCan the Secretary of State give a little more clearly the terms of reference of this committee? Surely all the facts are known.
§ Mr. StuartThere are no direct terms of reference. It is a Working Party of officials and representatives of local authorities to discuss what we should best do for the future.