§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received the report of the public local inquiry in Stirling on 29 April; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YoungerI received the report of the local inquiry on 8 May. Having considered the report carefully, I am satisfied that Stirling district council is in default of its statutory duties under sections 23A of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972 and section 108(2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, namely, to limit the amount of contribution out of their general fund to the estimated housing revenue account for the year 1985–86 to an amount not exceeding £2.026 million and to determine such district rate as will provide sufficient moneys to meet such part of the total estimated expenses to be incurred by the authority during the year 1985–86 as falls to be met out of monies raised by rates.
Accordingly, I have today made an order under section 211 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 requiring Stirling district council to remedy their default within 21 days by revising their estimated housing revenue account so as to budget for a rate fund contribution within the limit set, and also by revising the district rate from 23p in the £ to not more than 20p in the £, and to take all necessary steps to give full effect to these decisions. Copies of the inquiry report and of the default order have been placed in the Library of the House.