§ 57. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will take steps to make the travel vouchers 890 issued to Scottish Members of Parliament for travelling between the House of Commons and their constituencies available for air services, in view of the amount of time that could thus be saved on the long journey to and from Scotland?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAFor various reasons I am not in a position to adopt the hon. Member's proposal.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThe hon. Gentleman says that there are various reasons; can he give the House one of them?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThere are, as I have said, many reasons, but I will give the hon. Gentleman one. He asks for a special privilege for Scotland, and that, of course, cannot be conceded without raising the question of its extension elsewhere.
§ Captain HAROLD BALFOURCan my hon. Friend say why that extension should not be given elsewhere provided there is no additional charge upon public funds?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODScotland is not asking for any concession; it only asks for this extension because of the distance.