HC Deb 15 December 1976 vol 922 cc1505-6
7. Miss Harvie Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he will take to persuade local authorities to curtail unnecessary expenditure on administrative and advertising undertakings in the interests of rate control.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Bruce Millan)

I have impressed upon authorities by circular and in the rate support grant discussions the urgent need for them to reduce total expenditure in the present year and in 1977-78, but it is the responsibility of each authority to decide whether any particular item of expenditure is necessary.

Miss Harvie Anderson

Although I appreciate the Secretary of State's efforts to date, does he not realise that the constant pinpricks of regional newspapers, the circulation of minutes and widespread circulation of statistics only bring to the notice of ratepayers who have not the money to pay the rates the continuing extravagances and unreality of the new regional councils?

Mr. Millan

Basically, these are matters for the regional and district councils themselves. However, if there is any particular question of alleged extravagance, I am always willing to look into it. I take the view that it is not for me to be constantly intervening on these day-to-day matters that are the concern of the local authorities. Members can always take up these matters direct with their own local authorities.

Mr. Welsh

Although the right hon. Gentleman will be urging administrative savings to be made in consequence of the cuts that are to be made, will he seek to introduce some humanity and even sanity in the essential cuts that have to take place? Is he aware, for example, that the Tayside Regional Council has stopped paying the 50p pocket money to mentally handicapped persons and has cut back on essential home help services? Will he introduce some humanity into the cuts?

Mr. Millan

I am reluctant to comment on every individual item of expenditure that is the responsibility of an individual local authority. Some of the examples that the hon. Gentleman has mentioned have already been quite exhaustively dealt with at local level.