§ 46. Mr. WEDGWOOD BENNasked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to refer the Local Government (Scotland) Bill to the Standing Committee on Scottish Bills, and, if not, for what reason?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the Local Government Bills for England and Scotland are so closely inter-related, especially as regards finance, that it is necessary that both the Bills should be dealt with in Committee of the whole House.
§ Mr. BENNDoes not the Prime Minister think that it would be more appropriate that the Members for Scottish constituencies should be consulted on details of the changes in Scottish law?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether he can give further consideration to the answer which he has just given, in view of the fact that this Bill is purely Scottish and 1542 that the appropriate body to discuss Committee points of the Bill is the Standing Committee on Scottish Bills?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think it has always been the custom of this House that Bills of the very first importance so far as possible shall be kept on the Floor of this House.
§ Mr. BENNCan the right hon. Gentleman state any recent precedent where an important' Scottish Bill of this character has been kept on the Floor of the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think the latter part of my reply answers that, namely, that as there is much of the Bills in common and they are so closely inter-related, they are Bills on which the verdict of the whole House should he taken, just as we have the assistance of the Scottish Members in regard to English Bills.
§ Mr. BENNDoes the right hon. Gentleman say, therefore, that it is necessary to bring in the opinion of English Members in order to override the opinion of Scottish Members?
§ Mr. SCRYMGEOURIn view of the fierce opposition in Scotland to this Measure, will the Prime Minister reconsider the question of cutting out this Bill from Scotland altogether?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs the right hon. Gentleman's reason for not sending it to the Standing Committee on Scottish Bills that he is afraid to face the verdict of the Scottish Members of his own party?
§ Mr. MACLEANrose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere will be a Motion put to the House as to whether or not the Bill should go to Committee of the whole House. That will be the occasion when Members, if they think fit, can vote against the Motion.
§ Mr. MACLEANThis is a matter which affects Scotland, and I want to ask the Prime Minister if, in view of the fact that there are so many changes made by him in the Bill that he is making applicable to Scotland, due to the difference that exists in Scottish law and assessment matters, he will not reconsider the reply which he has just given and allow Scotland to discuss the 1543 matter in the Standing Committee on Scottish Bills which was set up in order to give Scotland the opportunity —[Interruption].
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Prime Minister has already answered that question, and he can only give the same reply again.
§ Mr. MACLEANOn a point of Order. For your protection, Sir, but for the interruptions from the other side my question would have been ended before you rose to your feet, and if you are going to protect Members of the other side, I am going to ask you to extend the same protection to Members upon this side.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI shall treat all Members alike.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI wish to ask the Prime Minister if it is not the case that the Secretary of State for Scotland personally went and appealed to the Prime Minister in order that he—[Interruption.].
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot debate the question now.