§ 2. Mr. Gordon Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what have been the results of his discussions with local authorities in Scotland regarding meeting the costs of the work on strenthening of certain high buildings and the related expenses.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Dr. J. Dickson Mabon)Authorities have been told that Government assistance will be available. There will be discussions tomorrow with the local authority associations, and later with individual authorities.
§ Mr. CampbellBut the question is, how much Government assistance? As local authorities can in no way be blamed, because the buildings met all the safety requirements at the time of construction, is it the Government's intention that no part of the expenses, including the moving expenses of tenants, will fall upon the local ratepayers?
§ Dr. MabonThe Government always consult local authorities before making up their minds on things like that. The Government are not dictatorial, and we shall lay down nothing in advance of tomorrow's meeting. All together, 17 local authorities are involved and 170 blocks either completed or under construction. It is an extremely difficult problem and should not be lightly skated over.