15. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the recent utterances of the President of the English Local Government Board with regard to the establishment of a Ministry of Health have any application to Scotland; whether he has had under consideration any proposals which would involve the local administration of public health in Scot- 2203 land from the town and county councils which are at present charged with it; and whether, before any such proposals are adopted, he will afford ample opportunity for their discussion in the bodies affected?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)Although my Noble Friend's speeches have not referred to Scotland, any proposals affecting the machinery of government in relation to the public health and its administration of course interest Scotland as well as England. I have received various suggestions in the matter, which will receive my consideration. It is clear that any proposals implying such a change as my hon. Friend describes could only receive effect by means of legislation, which would afford ample opportunity of discussion.