§ 9. Mr. Willisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has 1192 for altering the existing formula for apportionment to local authorities of the aggregate amount of general grants.
§ Mr. NobleIf the provisions in the Bill, which no doubt the hon. Member has in mind, become law, I expect from time to time to invite Parliament to approve proposals for amending the formula for distributing the aggregate amount of general grant.
§ Mr. WillisIn view of the fact that it is generally understood that the right hon. Gentleman already knows the changes that he wants to make in the method of distributing this general grant, does he not think that it would be fair to Scottish Members to place these before the House before we pass this part of the Bill?
§ Mr. NobleNo, Sir. I do not think that it is fair to say that I know what changes are likely to be made, because these are subject of discussion between the working parties and the local authorities and they still continue.