§ 14. Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider recommending the appointment of a Royal Commission or other responsible independent committee to examine the possibility and practicability of alternative sources of local taxation.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneNo, Sir. My right hon. Friend does not think that any useful purpose would be served by instituting a further inquiry into this matter.
§ Mr. McInnesIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the last inquiry into this matter took place over thirty years ago? Why does his right hon. Friend now consider that that evidence is applicable to today's situation? Surely he is fully conscious—though, perhaps, that is somewhat doubtful—of the situation that exists as a result of Government legislation. Does he not agree that, when local authority revenues are being diminished year by year, it is absolutely essential that they should have some other form of revenue, such as would be likely to result from the recommendations of a Committee like this?
§ Mr. BrowneNo, Sir. The Government consider that every inquiry has already been made.