HC Deb 20 February 1963 vol 672 cc436-7
27. Mr. Steele

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to amend Section 29 of the Militia Act, 1882, in such a way as to ensure that the convener of a county council would act as lord lieutenant during his period of office.

Lady Tweedsmuir

No, Sir. This question was considered carefully following correspondence between the hon. Member and one of my right hon. Friend's predecessors. The conclusion reached, with which my right hon. Friend agrees, was that there was insufficient advantage in this proposal to warrant this substantial change in the longstanding practice under which the personal representatives of the Sovereign in the counties at large are selected on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Mr. Steele

Would the noble Lady say why the lord provosts of the four cities of Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh are automatically the lords lieutenant of the county? Having accepted that principle, why should not the convener of a county council who is the democratically elected representative and spokesman of the people be in this position? If her right hon. Friend has any sympathy with this idea, surely in new appointments this principle could be accepted by giving advice in the right quarters?

Lady Tweedsmuir

The reasons why the four cities are different are historical reasons which date from George III and also Queen Victoria and which apparently were also accepted by right hon. and hon. Members opposite. Because it has worked well—I certainly agree that it has—it does not necessarily follow that in all other cases Her Majesty's choice of lord lieutenant should be restricted in this way.

Mr. Steele

Are we to assume that because the Conservative Party believes that something was right in the time of George III it should not be altered?

Lady Tweedsmuir

I do not notice or recall that there was any particular objection from the party opposite when they were in power.