HC Deb 21 June 1955 vol 542 cc1117-8
12. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Report of the Departmental Committee whose recommendations are to form the basis of the legislation on the law of valuation and rating proposed in the Gracious Speech will be made available to Members of the House.

19. Mr. Pryde

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will specify the Departmental Committee referred to in the Gracious Speech whose recommendations are to form the basis of legislation to amend the law relating to valuation and rating in Scotland.

Mr. J. N. Browne

The Report of this Committee, of which Lord Sorn was the Chairman, was laid before the House on 19th October last (Command 9244).

Mr. Woodburn

Is the Minister aware of the confusion—which may be our fault—arising from the description of the Lord Sorn's Committee as a "Departmental" Committee? We were unaware that Lord Sorn's Committee was not a public committee appointed by the Minister. We take it now, from what the Minister said, that it is Lord Sorn's Committee which is referred to in the Gracious Speech.

Mr. Browne

That is correct.

Mr. Pryde

Are we to take it that Lord Sorn's Committee was a Departmental Committee?

Mr. Browne

That is the normal way of referring to a committee appointed by a Minister.

Mr. Pryde

Is it not a fact that neither Lord Sorn nor Sir Ronald Thomson was a member of the Department? Does not this fact raise a constitutional issue?