§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the light of the judgment of Sheriff Charles McArthur Q.C. dated 6 November in the case of Councillor J. C. Mason v. Kircaldy district council, he will now introduce amending legislation to extend the provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 in respect of the claiming of expenses by councillors.
§ Mr. RifkindYes, though I very much deplore the circumstances which led ultimately to the court action. Councillors from the opposition parties on the council should be given adequate representation on major committees in order that they may be able to participate fully in the affairs of the authority—for which all councillors collectively are responsible—and to represent the interests of the area for which they are elected.