28. Major Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet appointed a Scottish liaison officer to represent Scottish interests in the Board of Trade, Ministry of Pensions, Ministry of War Transport, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Works and Ministry of Food.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. Johnston)Each of the four Scottish Departments for which I am responsible has a liaison staff in London which maintains the necessary contacts with other Government Departments including the United Kingdom Departments to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. In addition senior officers representing the Ministries of Production, Supply, 15 Aircraft Production, Labour and National Service, and Works, and the Admiralty and the Board of Trade attend regularly the meetings of the Scottish Council on Industry, while representatives of other Departments attend when necessary. There is, of course, also the closest contact between the Scottish Office in Edinburgh and the representatives of the various United Kingdom Departments.
Major LloydWhile appreciating what my right hon. Friend has said, does he not feel that there is greater scope for more direct representation of Scottish interests through him than through any Government Departments in Whitehall?
§ Mr. JohnstonI would be glad to discuss this matter with my hon. and gallant Friend, but I think it is more important that senior officers representing the various Departments should be in touch with us in Edinburgh.
§ Mr. McGovernIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that all Scottish interests get the consideration they deserve?
§ Mr. JohnstonNo, Sir, not in every case.