HC Deb 27 July 1954 vol 531 c228
41. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet received the Report of the Royal Commission on Scottish Affairs; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. J. Stuart

Yes, Sir. I have received the Report, which is being presented to Parliament today. The recommendations contained in the Report will have immediate consideration. I have conveyed to Lord Balfour and the members of the Commission the warm thanks of Her Majesty's Government for the thorough and expeditious way in which they have carried out their inquiry.

Mr. Woodburn

Will the right hon. Gentleman also publish the evidence placed before the Royal Commission on which this Report was based, as clearly that will be of extreme interest to those of us who want to study the Report in greater detail.

Mr. Stuart

I think that a great deal of the evidence has already been published. It was published while the Commission was sitting in open session, but I will look into that point.

Mr. Woodburn

Will the evidence be made available to Members of Parliament in conjunction with the Report?

Mr. Stuart

I will do my best in the matter. I thought that the evidence had already been published.

Mr. Rankin

What opportunity will be given to the House to debate the Report?

Mr. Stuart

I hope that an opportunity will be found a little later, but for the moment I think it would perhaps be better to read the Report.