§ Mr. Allan Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to pursue action to reduce the rates of any Scottish local authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindI am today laying before Parliament reports under section 5 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1966 setting out my proposals for reductions in the rates of Lothian regional council and Edinburgh district council of 3.9p and 2.8p respectively. Clackmannan district council has offered to reduce its rate by 1.8p and I have today written to the council accepting its proposal.