§ 40. Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what methods he uses for keeping himself informed of the decisions of local authorities.
§ Mr. GalbraithLocal authorities themselves report their decisions in matters on which my right hon. Friend requires information in pursuance of his statutory responsibilities. More generally, he is kept informed of local authority opinion through day-to-day contacts between his Departments, including their inspectorates, and the local authority associations and individual local authorities. My right hon. Friend and other Scottish Ministers also have frequent opportunities for meeting local authority representatives themselves
§ Mr. MacPhersonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I have in my hand a letter, addressed by the Scottish Office to the Town Clerk of Falkirk, the gist of which is that one of the local newspapers reported a certain decision of the Falkirk Town Council, and certain reasons for it, and that the Secretary of State would like to know whether that decision was reached, and for those reasons? Does the Under-Secretary of State consider that a proper, or even a reputable, way of keeping in touch?
§ Mr. GalbraithI should have to look into the matter before giving a decision.