§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to make alterations to the system under which decisions relating to both the aggregate level and distribution between councils of grant-aided expenditure, Government-supported 231W expenditure and aggregate external finance are taken with particular reference to the delegation of such decisions to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities; and if he will make a statement. [206]
§ Mr. KynochMy right hon. Friend is statutorily obliged to consult the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities about both the aggregate level of the local government finance settlement and its distribution among councils, but there is absolutely no question of decisions on those matters having been delegated to the convention as the hon. Member appears to suggest.