63. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish local authorities regarding the distribution formula for the rate support grant ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WillisThere have been discussions at official level for several months. My hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State had a further meeting with representatives of the local authority associations on 15th July. He has undertaken, as the hon. Gentleman knows, to make a statement at the appropriate point in the committee stage of the Local Government (Scotland) Bill.