Outer House 14 February 1986. Action against the council seeking reparation for loss and damage allegedly arising through neglect on the part of the employee who had surveyed a property before the council had offered a mortgage in connection with its purchase. A survey had been carried out by the council and on the basis of that survey had offered to make a loan to the purchaser. The purchasers were informed that such an offer did not imply that the council was satisfied about the state of the property and that it was a matter for the purchasers to decide and the council had no responsibility therefore. Following the issue of a notice requiring the execution of extensive repairs to the property, the purchasers sought to recover their losses from the council claiming that the employee who surveyed the flat had been negligent in failing to notice the defects and but for the negligence the council would not have offered and the purchasers would not have accepted the loan. Held, that the