§ 8. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the change, by value and percentage, in loan sanctions to local authorities in Scotland for major services affected by the Chancellor's statement of 27th July, 1965, between the last five months of 1965 and the preceding five months.
§ Mr. RossA decrease of £5,484,000, or 29.5 per cent., which compares with a decrease of £4,634,000, or 26.2 per cent., between the corresponding periods in 1964.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that many people in Scotland would rather see money saved on prescription charges than on the building of roads by local authorities and on the provision of other amenities? 'Will he consider whether it might not be more desirable to reimpose a prescription charge if this would enable local authorities to pursue their building programmes?
§ Mr. RossI think that the hon. Gentleman is not aware that there is not quite the relation that he might assume between those two items. However, it is interesting to note that, taking loan sanction for all items, in 1964 the figure was £132 million and in 1965 it was £151 million.