51. Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the statement by the Secretary for Scotland on 15th May as to the desirability of having Ministers in Edinburgh dealing with purely Scottish affairs, he is now in a position to state when the Government proposes to introduce a Bill to deal with this subject?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for North Aberdeenshire on this subject, to which I can add nothing.
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is a question which I do not think I am bound to answer.
§ Mr. PIRIEAre we to understand, as a pledge was given that this Government would introduce a Bill dealing with this matter, and as the life of this Government will come to an obligatory end next Session—[HON. MEMBERS; "No!"]—I mean that this Parliament will come to an end next year, that the Government, before next year or next Session, will 2133 introduce a Bill to carry out the pledge which was distinctly given to the Scottish people?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. Member's question involves a number of hypotheses.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary for Scotland definitely stated that the Government were drafting a Bill dealing with the Government of Scotland, and can he say whether that Bill is now completed?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir, I cannot. [HON. MEMBERS "Is it begun?"]
§ Mr. PIRIEAre we to understand that the Government propose to ask the Scottish people to give their votes in support of this Government if they have not carried out their elementary and first duty? [HON. MEMBERS "What about your vote?" and "Come over to our corner."] We will have it out of them yet.