§ 30. Mr. Willisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make available to hon. Members the evidence submitted to the Taylor Committee on the Tenure of Shop Premises in Scotland.
§ Mr. WoodburnThe evidence submitted to the Committee of Inquiry into the tenure of shop premises in Scotland was given in confidence, and cannot, accordingly, be made available.
§ Mr. WillisIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is very great interest, and also very great concern, about this particular report; and will he not consider making at least some of the evidence available?
§ Mr. WoodburnI sympathise with the hard cases which have arisen under this selling of shops, but the report of the committee, which was a well-balanced committee in every way, showed that at 814 least the evidence before it was not sufficient to justify legislation. If the matter is pursued by those who are interested to such an extent as to produce evidence, then, of course, the committee may sit again and consider it further.