§ 1. Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total net value of the capital assets of the Scottish State Management Districts.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. R. Brooman-White)The latest book value of the fixed assets of the Scottish State Management Districts, as shown in the Annual Report of the State Management Districts for the year ended 31st March, 1960, is £222,211.
§ Mr. RidleyAccording to the Civil Estimates, the Scottish State Management Districts expect to make a profit of only £6,210. This, on a quick calculation, represents only 3 per cent. Does my hon. Friend feel that this is a fair return on the taxpayers' capital in these Districts, and would not he agree to selling them back to interests which could make a better return on these assets?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteI think that on the general policy I cannot add anything to what my right hon. Friend said in an Adjournment debate in reply to the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. John MacLeod) in March of last year.
§ Mr. John MacLeodIs it not extraordinary that a Conservative Government Should tolerate these districts long after the original object of making State Management Districts has passed? Is it not an insult to these local authorities that they should be treated differently from other local authorities in Scotland?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteThat is a much wider question, and I do not think that I should add to what was said in the Adjournment debate.
§ Mr. T. FraserWill the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there will be no further sell-out to the brewers as in the case of the new towns?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteAgain, this Question is a narrow one, but on general policy it would be quite wrong to add by question and answer to the statements made in the Adjournment debate.