HC Deb 17 March 1959 vol 602 cc196-7
30. Mr. McInnes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he anticipates the investigation being conducted by the Social Survey Division of the Central Office of Information into drunkenness in Scotland is likely to be completed.

Mr. N. Macpherson

I understand that the results of this inquiry will not be available for some months.

Mr. McInnes

When the results are to hand, will they be made available to hon. Members?

Mr. Macpherson

I think that we should first receive the Report, and then consider how to deal with it.

Mr. McInnes

But surely the Under-Secretary is in a position now to indicate whether the results of the investigation will be made available to Members of Parliament. What is the use of having an investigation if the House is not to know the result?

Mr. Macpherson

This is a Great Britain investigation. It is customary to await the Report, and then, even if only formally, to take a decision whether or not to publish it.