§ 32. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct members of the council of the Scottish Special Housing Association to co-operate with local authorities in non-financial matters of amenity, and in particular to instruct them to enter discussions with those local authorities which, contrary to Scottish Special Housing Association practice, allow tenants to keep caravans in gardens.
Dr. Dickson MahonQuestions of this kind are best left to the council of management of the Association, but it is the practice of the council to operate in consultation with the local authorities in whose districts it owns houses.
§ Mr. DalyellIs it not intolerable that a council of management, elected by nobody, should set itself up as an arbiter of taste superior to the locally elected representatives of the people?
§ Dr. MabonThe council of management is appointed by the Secretary of State and it is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Association's business. As such, it is entitled to take a view on these matters which may in some cases be better than some local authority practice—
§ Mr. DalyellThat is anti-democratic.