Lieut.-Commander Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now prepared to institute an investigation into the working of the Exchequer equalisation grant in Scotland.
§ Mr. J. StuartYes. I have decided to carry out an investigation into the operation of the equalisation grant in Scotland and discussions as to its scope are now proceeding with representatives of the local authority associations. It must, however, be understood that the Government do not contemplate an increase in the heavy burden of grants at present carried by the Exchequer.