§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce 556W an increase in the hill compensatory allowance.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownI refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) on 24 January.—[Vol. 961, c.181.]
Pending a decision on this matter, I am arranging for payment to be made at the rates applicable in 1978. Supplementary payments will be made in due course if the rates are to be increased this year.