§ 33. Mr. RiddickTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received about corruption in local government in Scotland.
§ Mr. StewartMy right hon. Friend receives, from time-to-time, representations about alleged corrupt practices by Scottish local authorities. All such representations are carefully considered in the context of the statutory powers available to my right hon. Friend, and complainants are informed of forms of redress available—for example, the courts, the Commission for Local Authority Accounts in Scotland, and the local government ombudsman.