§ 13. Mr. Hubbardasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities in Fife have protested against the proposed reduction in housing subsidies.
§ Mr. J. StuartI have received representations from the two large burghs and from eleven small burghs in addition to those from Fife County Council.
§ Mr. HubbardIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the local authorities in Fife, as in Scotland generally, very much resent the failure of the Scottish Office to co-operate with them when imposing conditions or making arrangements for housing subsidies; and that these subsidies have, in fact, been introduced, and are 729 being introduced, without prior consultation with the local authorities, and that that is making the work impossible?
§ Mr. StuartI did have consultations with the local authority associations on this subject.
§ 14. Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of local authorities who have protested against the proposed reductions in housing subsidies giving the number of county councils, large burghs and small burghs, separately.
§ Mr. J. StuartI have received representations against the proposed revision of housing subsidies from the councils of five counties, twelve large burghs and sixty-seven small burghs.
§ Mr. McInnesHas the right hon. Gentleman received any representations from the local authority association protesting against these reductions, and is he prepared to receive a deputation from that association?
§ Mr. StuartAs I have said, we had discussions and negotiations with them. I am, therefore, aware of their views, but I would point out that when I have given the figures for which I was asked this makes a total of 84 local authorities from a total of 230.