HC Deb 22 October 1969 vol 788 cc264-5W
43. Mrs. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his proposed discussions with local authorities on local government reorganisation will deal with the question of the financial implications of the Wheatley Report.

49. Mr. Monro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice concerning local authority finance he will give to local authorities before they have to submit their recommendations to him on the Royal Commission on Local Government in Scotland.

Mr. Ross

I am at present seeking the comments of the local authorities on the broad pattern of local government structure and the distribution of major functions. Financial arrangements and many other matters will be discussed later but, as I explained after my statement on 14th October, the Government are already examining the financial issues.

44. Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the discussions which he plans to have with local authorities on the Wheatley Report will include consideration of the reallocation of the capital debt of the existing local authorities.

Mr. Ross

Not at this stage.