§ 18. Mr. MACPHERSONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he is aware that the Royal Commission on Licensing in Scotland took no evidence on the scheme of State management of the liquor trade now in operation in the Cromarty Firth area from witnesses directly representing the police, the county council, town or burgh councils, the local advisory committee, or any other authority in the district; and whether he will therefore consult all or any of these authorities before any action is taken?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. William Adamson)The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Royal Commission did not invite the police, the local advisory committee or any of the county or town councils to give evidence. I am informed, however, that the Royal Commission made a public announcement which gave the county and town councils an opportunity to offer evidence, but they did not do so. In dealing with this part of the Royal Commission's report I shall certainly inform myself fully of the local position in both the areas concerned.