HC Deb 21 June 1972 vol 839 cc468-9
29. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken in the last two years to give local authorities more freedom from the control of central government; and what plans he has for the future in this respect.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

In addition to those given in reply to the hon. Member on 14th July, 1971, further relaxations have been made in building control. Last month I placed regulations before the House easing certain requirements of the Schools (Scotland) Code concerned with staff promotions. A significant degree of freedom from control on capital borrowing has been offered to the four city authorities.

Work is now well advanced on the general study of statutory controls which may be relaxed.—[Vol. 821, c. 95–6.]

Mr. Hamilton

The right hon. Gentleman must surely be aware that one of the most important functions of local authorities—rent policy—is being taken away from them by legislation now before Parliament. He must also be aware that many local education authorities wanted to provide free school milk for their children under 11 years of age but the Government said "No" and that the Government have prevented local education authorities from getting rid of selective education. As a result of all this, the local authorities in Scotland are about as free under the present Government as the local authorities were under Hitler in Germany before 1939. How do the Government square these activities with the promise they made that they would free local authorities from central Government control?

Mr. Campbell

The hon. Gentleman has again used extravagant expressions. The questions of rent and milk have been exhaustively discussed in the House. As for education, I have already approved some of Glasgow Corporation's proposals for comprehensive schools. What has been at issue recently is a separate matter—the duty of local education authorities to continue with their own approved schemes, and this has received a very solid decision by a court.

Mr. Buchan

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that what he is doing is throwing in one or two nuts and then using an enormous sledge-hammer to crush them? Is it not a fact that there has been a complete destruction of the freedom of local authorities in three major spheres in Scotland and that the last and most serious one is in the misuse of the law to try to force Glasgow Corporation to continue with a reactionary and privileged form of education which it wants to get rid of? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that if he wants to get some sense into this situation he should look at the letter from Councillor McFarden in today's Glasgow Herald?

Mr. Campbell

The hon. Gentleman is taking issue with a court decision. He ought to remember that it was his own Government which, in a circular, pressed upon local authorities the need for consultation in their move towards comprehensive education. I too am requiring local authorities to carry out the consultation that is necessary.