§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the petition from Milton of Balgonie, signed by 95 per cent. of the ratepayers of that place, protesting against the payment of a drainage rate to the Fife County Council when no drainage facilities are provided; and what steps are being taken to meet the grievances of the signatories in this matter?
755W
§ Mr. ElliotI have received a copy of the petition to the Fife County Council to which the hon. Member refers. I am informed that while considerable progress has been made in the negotiations which are proceeding between the county council and the firms and neighbouring authorities concerned with regard to the construction of the regional sewer into which the drainage of sewers for Milton of Balgonie would discharge, the negotiations are not yet completed. I hope very much that these will soon be brought to a satisfactory conclusion, so as to permit a start to be made at the earliest possible date with the construction of the sewer. With regard to the levying of a drainage rate, the county council, as I indicated in reply to the hon. Member's question of 16th February last, consider that they are fully entitled to impose the rate. If the inhabitants think they are being improperly rated their remedy can only lie in the courts. The Secretary of State has undoubtedly no right to interfere.