§ 6. Mr. Lambieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland which of the previous 1292 local authorities in the Cunninghame District Council area left credit balances in their rating accounts.
§ Mr. MillanI understand that the accounts have not yet been closed.
§ Mr. LambieAccording to the local Press last week, large deficits have been left by previous local authorities to Cunninghame District Council. Will my right hon. Friend guarantee that extra supplementary grant will be given to Cunninghame District Council in order to help local ratepayers?
§ Mr. MillanI do not read the local Press in the Cunninghame district. Whether or not its report is accurate, the fact is that it is fairly common in other parts of Scotland for debit balances to have been left to the new authorities, and there can be no special assistance for that reason.