HC Deb 09 April 1946 vol 421 cc1796-7
61. Mr. Boothby

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a statement on the future of county W. A. E. C. 's in Scotland.

Mr. Westwood

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart) on 2nd April to which at the moment I am unable to add.

Mr. Boothby

Since a definite decision has been reached in the case of the Ministry of Agriculture, would the right hon. Gentleman say how long the present uncertainty in Scotland is to continue?

Mr. Westwood

In the reply to the hon. Member for East Fife I said I hoped to be in a position to make a statement in a little more than a fortnight. I needed a fortnight for the purpose of completing the discussions which are going on at the moment with the interests that are affected.

Mr. Snadden

Will the Secretary of State bear in mind that to set up the new committees requires legislation, and as he does not know how long they are to function will he expedite his decision?

Mr. Westwood

There will be no undue delay, but I think it is right to point out that I have to carry with me in these alterations the interests that are to be affected, and at the moment I can assure the House I am getting every help from them.