§ SIR ALEXANDER GORDONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will inform the House whether the Office of the President of the proposed Local Government Board for Scotland will be in London or in Edinburgh?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTSir, one of the main objects which, I think, the Members for Scotland desire is that during the Session of Parliament they should have constant access to the Minister who is charged with the Business to be given under this Bill. Of course, for that purpose he must have his records, his business papers, in London—that is quite clear—for the convenience of Scottish Members, and also the permanent Staff, the absence of which I have always considered to be one of the great defects of the arrangement. There should be somebody who could keep together the traditions, the records, and transactions of Scottish Business. That is not done. There is no such official. Therefore, of course, there must be a place of business in London. Then, as regards Scotland, Lord Rosebery, when he had charge of Scottish Business, thought it was always convenient to have a place of business in Edinburgh, where, when Parliament was not sitting, Scottish Members and other persons could have access to him, and where he could meet them; and, no doubt, that is a system which would be continued, and, if necessary, expanded. But let me remind my hon. and gallant Friend that this, after all, is an experiment. It must depend on how Business turns out, and what is most convenient.
§ SIR ALEXANDER GORDONI understand the records will be kept in London.
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTThat, again, I say, will depend on what course is more convenient. If it is found more convenient to keep the records in London, they will be kept in London; and if in Edinburgh, they will be kept in Edinburgh.