44. Mr. DAVIDSONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of Scottish local government deputations received by the Secretary of State for Scotland for the years 1934 and 1935, respectively?
§ Sir G. COLLINSNo separate register is kept of the many local government deputations which are received by me or on my behalf, the normal practice being to record the interview in the appropriate file of the Scottish Office or other Scottish Department dealing with the matter discussed. I do not think the expenditure of time and labour involved in a detailed scrutiny of these files in order to provide the information requested would be justified.
Mr. DAVIDSONAre any steps being taken to avoid this unnecessary travelling of local government officials to London from Scotland?
§ Sir G. COLLINSYes, Sir. We opened an office in Edinburgh, in connection with my office in London, to enable these deputations to be met in Edinburgh, and many have since been met in Edinburgh.
Mr. DAVIDSONHow often can these deputations see the right hon. Gentleman personally in those offices?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI endeavour to lay myself open to receive them as many times as is humanly possible.