HC Deb 30 July 1930 vol 242 cc490-1
57. Mr. ERNEST BROWN

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has reached any decision as to the publication of the Report of the committee on the proposed mid-Scotland ship canal?

61. Mr. MACLEAN

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to state when the Report of the inquiry into the construction of the Mid-Scotland Canal will be published; whether the Scottish Office has been invited to take part in the consideration of the Report; and whether, before any decision is made, the Report will be submitted to the Scottish Standing Committee for their consideration?

Mr. HERBERT MORRISON

I propose to publish forthwith the report referred to, which is now being considered by the Ministers concerned, including my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. As my hon. Friend the Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean) is doubtless aware, the functions of the Scottish Grand Committee is to examine Scottish Bills in Committee in this House, but I have no doubt that the members of that Committee, who, together with other hon. Members, will receive copies of the report when it is published, will give it their careful consideration.

Mr. MACLEAN

Is my hon. Friend not aware that the function, not only of the Standing Committee on Scottish Bills, but of other Standing Committees, is not merely to consider Bills, but to consider other matters which are referred to them? If he reads the Standing Orders, he will find that to be the case.

Mr. MORRISON

I think it would be very unusual to submit to the Standing Committee on Scottish Bills the report of a committee of this kind; it must be dealt with on the responsibility of the Minister concerned.

Mr. MACLEAN

The Minister concerned, namely, the Secretary of State for Scotland, is also a Member of this Committee, and, consequently, he would be there when the Committee were considering this matter, which is purely a Scottish matter. Will not my hon. Friend, therefore, take into consideration the suggestion made in the last part of my question, No. 61?

Mr. MORRISON

I am afraid that that suggestion is quite impossible. Ministers must be held responsible by this House for their action upon reports of this kind.