§ Mr. N. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any action is proposed or is under consideration by the Scottish Office to give greater powers to local authorities in Scotland within their area and so reduce the expenditure involved in having such matters considered and settled in London?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe hon. Member does not specify the matters in respect of which he considers that greater powers should be given to local authorities. As indicated in my reply of 13th March last to the hon. Member for South Edinburgh (Sir S. Chapman) the permanent heads of all Departments, with the exception of the Scottish Office, concerned with the administration of local government in Scotland are already located in Edinburgh and arrangements are being made to establish there at the earliest possible date a branch of the Scottish Office for the purpose of further facilitating the work of such administration, and thereby adding to the convenience of local authorities.