§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now withdraw his objections to the use of the common good fund of the Aberdeen city district council for use in the funding of a leisure centre; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramAt no time has my right hon. and learned Friend sought to intervene in Aberdeen district council's use of the common good fund itself. He is concerned at this stage not with whether a particular item of expenditure is a legitimate use of the fund, which is a matter for the council to decide, but rather with ensuring that the total of the council's capital spending, however financed, does not exceed the limits he has laid down. The Secretary of State remains of the view that a local authority requires his consent before incurring any liability to meet capital expenses, otherwise than out of current revenue, even although such capital expenses are being met out of the common good fund.