§ 7. Mr. Carmichaelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why in appointing a committee to review the whole field of local government in Scotland, he has only appointed two political representatives on a committee consisting of 14 members; and why no one, other than a prominent local government official, has been appointed from any part of the West of Scotland or North-East Scotland.
§ Mr. T. FraserThe task of the committee is the technical one of consolidating local government law. Apart from the chairman and departmental members, the committee consists of two members of this House and one from another place, and six representatives, including three from the West of Scotland, nominated by the associations of local authorities. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the committee is adequate and fully qualified to carry out the task which has been allotted to it.
§ Mr. CarmichaelAs this Committee has been appointed with a view to facilitating consolidation and securing simplicity, uniformity and conciseness in regard to to the laws of Scotland, is my hon. Friend satisfied that the legal profession is the best profession to simplify enactments associated with the local government of Scotland? If so, why were two lay Members from the City of Edinburgh appointed to the committee and the rest of Scotland ignored?
§ Mr. FraserI should have thought that my right hon. Friend would be obliged to appoint a committee of persons who would be likely to undertake the task allotted to them to the satisfaction of everyone concerned. It may be true that he has appointed to the committee two Members of this House who come from the East of Scotland, but I do not think they should suffer any disability on that account.