§ Mr. DUNCAN MILLARasked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the fact that many rating authorities in Scotland have been advised that, under the provisions of the House Letting and Rating (Scotland) Act, 1911, it is not within their power to grant exemption from the payment of rates on the ground of poverty, as they have hitherto done, and that many rating authorities have accordingly decided not to grant such exemption; and whether he proposes to take any steps to secure that persons who are in a position to claim exemption on the ground of poverty shall be relieved from the payment of rates by the issue of certificates of exemption or otherwise?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI am aware that there are differences of opinion and of practice on this subject. The matter is primarily one for the local authorities, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh.