§ 26. Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total yield from local authority rates in Scotland in the years 1964–65, 1965–66, 1967–68 and 1968–69.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonIn the five years 1964 to 1969, the yields were successively £112.4 million, £122.5 million, £144.2 million, £146.3 million and £158.6 million.
§ Mr. HunterWhile acknowledging that the total yields have become higher over the years, may I ask my hon. Friend if he agrees that had it not been for the generous assistance by this Government 409 the total yields required by local authorities would have been very much higher?
Dr. MahonThat is quite right, because local expenditures have been going up quite substantially, and, unlike the position under the previous Government, the rate support grant formula is based on a rising share being borne by the Government. The Green Paper on local government finance will go into this matter very thoroughly.