§ MR. PIRIEI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will consent to a Return showing the last dates on which the votes were passed, after discussion in this House, in the case of each of the following Scottish Votes: Lunacy Commission, Registrar General's Office, Register House, Prisons Commission, National Galleries Board, Crofters Commission, Congested Districts Boards, Law Charges and Courts of Law, Public Education, Scotland, and the number of days or parts of a day given to the actual discussion of Scottish Estimates during each of the last ten years, and the annual average number of Parliamentary hours during the last twenty years.
§ MR. SINCLAIRWith regard to the information required in the first portion of my hon. friend's Question a Return does not appear necessary as that information is equally available to my hon. friend as it is to the Scottish Office. With regard to the information required in the second part of the Question, a Return is not possible as the authorities of this House are unable to furnish the full information required. The number of whole days occupied in discussion will be found in the Journals of the House and in Hansard.
§ MR. PIRIEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that I want this, not for my personal information, but for the information of the public of Scotland?
§ MR. SINCLAIRAnd the information is perfectly accessible to the public of Scotland.
§ MR. PIRIEBut the right hon. Gentleman has said there are no official sources available. Will he reconsider his decision, and give me this information for the people of Scotland. It is most important.
§ MR. SINCLAIRI shall be very glad to consider any further representations sent to me.