§ 5. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether and when he expects to introduce measures to amend the legislation which disqualifies certain people from standing for election to Scottish local authorities.
§ Mr. MillanAs explained to my hon. Friend on 1st May, we are looking into this matter, but I cannot make any forecast about legislation.
§ Mr. CanavanWhen are we to get rid of the ridiculous unfair anomaly whereby local government employees who do an honest day's work—such as direct works labourers, grave-diggers, teachers, bus drivers, and many other categories—are barred from standing for their councils, whereas there is no such bar on businessmen and their lackeys who are after local government contracts?
§ Mr. MillanAs regards the employees, my hon. Friend will be aware that the Government are holding consultations on this matter at the moment following the report of Lord Redcliffe-Maud's commission on standards of conduct in public life.
As regards contractors and people of that kind, rules are laid down in local government legislation. This is an extremely difficult area. Some of the matters concerned will no doubt be dealt with in the report of the Royal Commission. I can only repeat that we have no immediate plans to change the present legislation.