§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what instruct- 82W tions he has given to local authorities regarding their spending programmes in 1969–70; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossI cannot instruct local authorities about their general expenditure. A Circular, dated 7th March, 1969, of which a copy has been placed in the Library, was issued by the Scottish Development Department to provide local authorities with guidance on the policy underlying the Rate Support Grant (Scotland) Order, 1969, and its implications for the budgets which they will shortly be drawing up.