asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange a meeting with the Borders regional council to discuss the effects of public expenditure cuts on local services in the Borders region.

There has been no request from the council for such a meeting. My right hon. Friend regularly discusses public expenditure matters with authorities collectively through the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

I thank the Under-Secretary for that answer. Is he aware, however, that major capital assets in the Borders area are declining because of a lack of routine maintenance? Will the Minister give an assurance that if a case can be made on a reasonable basis for increasing public expenditure in that direction in my constituency he will consider it in a reasonable fashion, not in a party political, dogmatic fashion?

I always consider everything put to me in a reasonable fashion. The hon. Gentleman should be aware that the regional council is spending more per head at constant prices than in 1978–79. That does not seem consistent with any reduction in its services that the hon. Gentleman has described.