§ 64. Mr. Millanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make payment of grant to local authorities during the current and next financial years on projects brought forward under the accelerated public works programme and not eligible for specific grant.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellUnder the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1966, the amount of Rate Support Grant, once fixed, can be increased only on account of unforeseen increases in prices, costs or remuneration. Expenditure on additional projects, which will usually be reflected in loan repayments over periods of years, cannot therefore be brought into the calculation of Rate Support Grant until the next grant period begins in 1973–74, and I made this clear to local authorities when I invited them to submit proposals. However, in Scotland special capital grants are being paid for road works and in the two years in question these will be worth more to the local authorities than additional Rate Support Grant on their accelerated works.