CIVIL DEFENCE (GRANT) (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS, 1953 (Hansard, 24 November 1953)

THE EARL OF HOME

My Lords, these Regulations are identical in purpose with those that have been moved in respect of England by my noble friend Lord Lloyd. They provide for payments of grant on the approved expenditure of local authorities and water authorities. There are one or two minor differences between the English and the Scottish Regulations for—instance, there is no mention in the Scottish Regulations of any water undertaking. Perhaps I can forestall any flippancy by saying that this is common practice in Scotland, because water undertakings count as local authorities; and so also do police. Therefore there is no necessity to mention them separately. The Regulations provide certain administrative arrangements which, 446 again, are common form in Scotland. These Regulations are slightly different from the English Regulations, but there is no substance in the difference. Agreement has been reached with the local authorities on the principles as to what proportion the Government should contribute to civil defence expenditure in peace time. As my noble friend has said, part of the agreement cannot be implemented without legislation and, as he has told your Lordships, that legislation will be introduced as soon as possible. I beg to move.