§ Mr. D. GRAHAMasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the amount of loans granted to the various parish councils in Scotland, in relief of distress, for the financial year 1925–26, and for the period since the beginning of the present financial year, with the rate of interest chargeable thereon?
2580W
§ Sir J. GILMOURLoans amounting to £848,000 were authorised by the Board of Health in the financial year ending 15th May, 1926, including £268,000 from the relief of unemployment Vote. Since 16th May, 1926, loans amounting to £13,100 have been authorised by the Board, and in addition, since August loans amounting to £460,180 have been made from the relief of unemployment Vote to parish councils who have been unable to obtain further overdrafts from banks. The rate of interest on loans from the relief of unemployment Vote was the rate current for loans from Government sources at the time the loan was raised and varied from 4¾ per cent. to 5 per cent. I have no information as to the rate paid for loans from other than Government sources.