Mr. MACOUISTENasked the Secretary for Scotland if he will inquire into the circumstances under which the Oban Town Council refused and continue to refuse a grant for the building of a workman's house in Oban, which Mr. William Milne, ice manufacturer, is prepared to build in accordance with the Board of Health requirements; and whether, in the event of a town council or other public body arbitrarily refusing to grant a subsidy, he will take steps to compel the authority to make the grant?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have made inquiry and am advised that the application for subsidy by Mr. Milne was refused by the Oban Town Council, as they were satisfied that in the circumstances no subsidy was necessary to enable him to provide this house. It lies in the discretion of the town council to grant or withhold 239W subsidy in respect of applications received by them, and I have no power to compel them to give it.