§ Mr. WATTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has had any returns from local authorities in Scotland to his circular appealing to them to economise their expenditure in war time and so reduce the rates of their various localities; and will he say how many local authorities in Scotland have reduced their rates since the War started?
§ Mr. MUNROReplies were received from a number of local authorities to the circular referred to by my hon. and learned Friend which indicated that every effort would be made to economise. I have no reason to doubt that local authorities generally have been impressed with the great importance of the subject and have endeavoured to act in accordance with the spirit of the circular. A return showing the rise or fall of rates during the period of the War would not furnish conclusive evidence of economy or the reverse. That could only be derived from a somewhat close and detailed examination of the expenditure of the local authorities during the last few years.