§ 64. Captain W. BENNasked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether it is proposed to make a new Order incorporating the Parliamentary Burgh of Leith with the City of Edinburgh; whether such an order requires Parliamentary sanction; and, if not, whether the decision of the House will be invited on the matter?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLAND (Mr. F. C. Thomson)There is no power to make an Order of the nature mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend. What he probably has in view is the Order made by the Secretary for Scotland on 19th March last under the powers contained in Sub-section (16) of Section 43 of the Representation of the People Act, 1918, fixing Edinburgh as the place of election for the Parliamentary Burgh of Leith. Orders under the Sub-section referred to do not require Parliamentary sanction.
§ Captain BENNMay we take it that the ancient burgh of Leith will remain an independent Parliamentary burgh?
§ Mr. THOMSONThis Order in no way effects the existence of Leith as a separate and independent Parliamentary area.