§ Captain ELLIOTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that the English Local Government Board is prepared to sanction expenditure by local authorities on village halls and institutes while the Scottish Local Government 947W Board on 13th June replied to the parish council of Lesmahagow that the Board considered a parish council had no power to provide a public hall or reading room, though a town council might, he is prepared to consider an early amendment of the law giving parish councils the same powers as town councils in this matter?
§ Mr. MUNROUnder Section 24 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act a parish council has power to provide or acquire buildings for public offices and for meetings and for any purposes connected with parish business or with the powers or duties of the parish council. Any room or small hall so provided may be used for any purpose of which the town council approve. I am not aware of any general demand for further powers, but if such a demand should be made, the question of legislation would be considered.