§ Dr. Brayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will outline the proposals, referred to in the White Paper, "British Steel Corporation: The Road to Viability", for assisting local authorities in Scotland seriously affected by closures of British Steel Corporation works.
§ Mr. MillanI propose to increase total rate support grant payable in Scotland in the current year to reflect the loss in rating income resulting from closures in 1977–78 and 1978–79 of iron-and steel-making plants in Scotland arising from the policies set out in our Cmnd 7149. The cash limit on rate support grant will, if necessary, be adjusted to accommodate the increase. Changes in the rating resources available to individual authorities in Scotland are taken into account in payment of the resources element of the grant.