§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a copy of the circular he issued on 14th June, 1957, in which he asked local authorities in Scotland to assist people adversely affected by the Rent Act, 1957, indicating what lead he gave to the local authorities as to the kind of assistance he contemplated; why he asked for no reply to it; and 5W what its result has been in providing such assistance.
§ Mr. MaclayAs the circular is a long one dealing with the Rent Act as a whole I am sending the hon. and learned Member a copy and am placing a copy in the Library. I did not consider it necessary to give detailed advice but I asked local authorities to do everything they could within their powers to assist people who might be affected by the Rent Act. The nature of the circular did not call for a reply but I have no reason to think that local authorities are not keeping my request in mind.