§ 17. Sir William Darlingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the last meeting of the Council of Former Secretaries of State for Scotland was held; and if, in view of the needs of Scotland, he will consult the council at regular intervals in the future.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Westwood)The last meeting of the Council of ex-Secretaries of State took place on 16th February, 1945, during the Coalition Government. Its retention among the bodies to which I, as Secretary of State for Scotland, can look for advice would not appear to be appropriate in the absence of such understanding between parties as obtained during the war years, and I do not intend to reconstitute such a council as one of my advisory bodies.
§ Sir W. DarlingDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that his administration of Scotland is so successful that he can dispense with the advice and counsel of experienced men?
§ Mr. WestwoodThere is no statutory duty upon me to appoint ex-Secretaries of State for Scotland as my advisers, and I believe that outside their ranks there are just as intelligent individuals to give me advice as among those who are ex-Secretaries of State.