§ 14. Mrs. Jean Mannasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes there have been in the personnel of the committee appointed to consider shop tenancies in Scotland; and if the committee have so far invited evidence.
§ Mr. WoodburnSheriff H. W. Guthrie has agreed to act as chairman of the reconvened Committee of Inquiry into the Tenure of Shops and Business Premises in place of Mr. T. N. Taylor, who was recently appointed Principal of Aberdeen University. One member who is now employed in London has not been replaced, and the composition of the Committee is otherwise unaltered. The Committee who held their first meeting on 29th November are considering their future procedure.
§ Mrs. MannHow can we have a quick decision if the Committee have not yet even advertised that they are prepared to receive evidence?
§ Mr. WoodburnThe Committee, of course, are examining all the evidence that has been placed before me during the period since they last sat, and all the shop questions which came before me in the early part of this year will be there for them to make their examination.
§ Mr. Hector HughesWill my right hon. Friend say whether the terms of reference of this Committee are any wider than those of the previous Committee, and, if not, will he consider widening them in order to deal with the problem which undoubtedly exists?
§ Mr. WoodburnThe terms of reference were announced on 2nd November.