§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total estimated expenditure of local authorities in 1968–69.
§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total estimated income of local authorities in 1968–69 from rates and payments in lieu of rates.
§ Mr. RossOn the basis of information relating to 94 per cent. of Scottish rateable value the total estimated income in 1968–69 from rates including payments in lieu of rates amounts to about £159 million.
§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total capital account income of Scottish local authorities in 1967–68 under each of the headings, namely, Government grants, loans and other items.
§ Mr. RossThe estimated total was £214,895,139, made up of £4,498,022 from revenue and special funds and £210,397,117 from loans, capital grants, and other capital receipts. A breakdown of the last figure is not available.
§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total revenue 525W account income of Scottish local authorities in 1967–68 under each of the headings, namely, Government grants, rates, payments in lieu of rates, housing, water supply, transport, harbours, docks and piers and other items.
§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total capital debt of Scottish local authorities; and what percentage of that is financed by the Public Works Loan Board.
§ Mr. RossThe information is not yet available, but it will be given in the January, 1969, issue of Economic Trends.
§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average rate of interest payable by Scottish local authorities on loans raised on the open market in 1966. 1967 and 1968, respectively.
§ Mr. RossI would refer the hon. Member to Table 80 of Financial Statistics No. 79, November, 1968, published by the Central Statistical Office.
§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average change in the domestic rate, the industrial rate, and the commercial rate, respectively, in Scotland between 1967–68 and 1969–70.
§ Mr. RossThis information is not available as local authorities are not required to determine rate poundages for 1969–70 before 31st October, 1969.
§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he proposes to publish the report of the investigation into the effect of rate on commercial properties in Scotland which was announced on 14th December, 1967.
§ Mr. RossI refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 18th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Gorbals (Mrs. Cullen). The committee is receiving evidence, but I do not know when it will submit its report.—[Vol. 768, c.279.]