§ 11. Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consider seeking to amend the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1963, so that Section 6 of the Act shall apply to all local authorities in Wales.
§ Mr. Peter Thomas:Section 6 of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1963, applies to all local authorities in Wales.
§ Mr. McBride:Will the Minister say whether this will permit all local authorities to levy a rate sufficient to defray the cost of providing free school milk for children between the ages of seven and 11? If not, will he stand up to the female "Scrooge" at the Department of Education and Science and ask for the repeal of the Education (Milk) Act?
§ Mr. Thomas:It is not for me to interpret the Statute, but, as I understand, a local authority cannot incur expenditure under the Section referred to by the hon. Gentleman if such expenditure is governed by any other enactment applying to that authority's functions.