§ 6. Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what register is maintained by his Department of Scottish societies in the oversea Commonwealth; and what arrangements exist in his Department for interesting Commonwealth visitors in places of tourist, antiquarian or genealogical interest in Scotland such as Douglas, Lanarkshire.
§ Mr. AlportThe Commonwealth Relations Office does not maintain a register of Scottish societies in the Commonwealth, but United Kingdom High Commissioners are in close touch with Caledonian Societies in the Commonwealth countries in which they are serving.
In 1958–59 the Commonwealth Relations Office sponsored visits by forty-seven visitors from the Commonwealth to the United Kingdom. Of 1365 these, thirty-three went to Scotland in the course of their official tours. The programmes of visits to places in Scotland of historical and cultural interest were arranged by the Scottish Information Office.
There are so many such places in Scotland that it has not been possible to include all of them—for instance, Douglas—in these itineraries.
§ Mr. MaitlandIs not my hon. Friend aware that Douglas is quite different from all other places in Scotland in that a forebear of his noble Friend, who was known as "Black Douglas," inflicted a smashing defeat on the English there in the year 1307? Is not this in itself a good reason why Commonwealth visitors, particularly those of Scottish extraction, should be brought to this scene of a great military triumph—and perhaps they might become interested in the industrial possibilities of the area at the same time?
§ Mr. AlportWe in the Commonwealth Relations Office are very well aware of the characteristics and qualities of Douglas, since it is the home of my right hon. and noble Friend. I do not think that either he or his neighbours would be satisfied at it being regarded as merely a place of antiquarian and genealogical interest.