§ 18. Mr. Corrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy toward those recommendations of the Layfield Report which affect the proposed Scottish Assembly.
§ Mr. MillanThe Government's examination of the recommendations of the Layfield Report is going ahead. I have nothing to add at this stage to what my right hon. Friend told the House on 26th May in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for West Stirling-shire (Mr. Canavan).
§ Mr. CorrieWill the right hon. Gentleman say what the Government's attitude will be to the rating of agricultural land either under a devolved Scotland or in the present situation? Would it not be a further intolerable problem for Scottish agriculture?
§ Mr. MillanI do not think that the hon. Gentleman would expect me to give an answer on one aspect of the Layfield Report. We have asked for comments on the recommendations as a whole. When we have them, we shall make a considered statement, and I have no doubt that we shall say what we think about that and other matters.
§ Mr. MacCormickDoes not the Secretary of State agree that it would be unrealistic to make any radical change in local government finance in Scotland until we get rid of the ludicrous regional authorities, such as the one controlling Strathcylde?
§ Mr. MillanNo, I do not agree with that.