§ Mr. Hendryasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet received the report of the recent inquiry about Dunbarton County Council rents.
§ Mr. MaclayYes. The report is being published this afternoon and for the convenience of hon. Members I have arranged to make copies available in the Vote Office. Its conclusion is that the County Council has not in good faith and upon a proper exercise of its discretion carried out between 1950 and 1960 any review of rents within the meaning of the relevant statutory provision. I have sent the report to the County Council, telling it that I accept this conclusion, and giving it an opportunity of reconsidering its position within the next month before I take further formal action under the statutory provisions relating to default. I am also sending copies of the report to all Scottish local authorities, because it affords general guidance on the exercise of their statutory duties in relation to rents.