§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an undertaking that the oil-related grants to local authorities in respect of extra burdens placed on ratepayers in regions of oil development will not be phased out next year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MillanI have no plans to terminate this form of assistance, but, as I announced last December during the debate on the Rate Support Grant (Scotland) Order 1976, the present arrangements, which are now entering their third year, are to be reviewed. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities will be consulted in the course of the review.