HC Deb 13 January 1971 vol 809 c57
29. Dr. Dickson Mabon

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to lay before Parliament his proposals for the reform of local government finance in Scotland.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

It is proposed that a Green Paper extending to Great Britain as a whole will be presented later this year.

Dr. Dickson Mabon

May I take it, in view of the right hon. Gentleman's protestations in opposition, that this Green Paper will precede a paper on the Wheatley reforms of local government in Scotland and the Government's comments on them? Since the right hon. Gentleman promised that White Paper on local government reform in Scotland very soon—I believe this month—may I take it that the Green Paper will be published within the next few days?

Mr. Campbell

Last February, in the debate on the Wheatley Report in the Scottish Grand Committee, the hon. Gentleman will remember, his right hon. Friend informed me, after I had pressed him two or three times, that this study on finance had begun, and that a Green Paper of this kind would be published. He then said that it would be published some time after the White Paper. When we came to office we found that the financial study had gone so far that it was right for us to allow it to be completed. My White Paper on the reform of local government should be available soon.

Dr. Dickson Mabon

Very disappointing.

Mr. Campbell

It is disappointing as a result of the programmes of the last Government.