§ Mr. John Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions have taken place regarding the distribution of Government grants to local authorities in Scotland; and if any conclusions have now been reached.
§ Mr. RossA number of changes are proposed in the methods of determining weighted population for the apportionment of the needs and resources elements of the grant, as prescribed in Schedules 2 and 3 to the Rate Support Grant (Scotland) Order, 1967. These were discussed by my noble Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with the Local Authority Associations on 22nd November. The general consensus then was that these changes should be made, and effect will be given to them in the Rate Support Grant Order which I shall be laying before the House early in the New Year.