HC Deb 04 December 1968 vol 774 cc1500-2
5. Mr. Wright

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will arrange for the forthcoming Commission on the Constitution to consider the constitutional position of Scotland as a matter of urgency and to publish its recommendations dealing with Scotland in advance of those dealing with other nations and regions.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. William Ross)

It will be primarily for the Commission itself to decide on its method of work, but I have no doubt that it will consider the various questions within it; terms of reference as quickly as possible.

Mr. Wright

May I point out to the Secretary of State—

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member must ask a question.

Mr. Wright

Is the Secretary of State aware that his reply leaves us in darkness as total as that produced by British Standard Time? May I ask him three specific questions? First, when will the Commission begin its deliberation; secondly, when will it be charged to produce a report; and thirdly, how will the subcommission of Scottish experts be chosen?

Mr. Ross

These are matters which will have to be looked at. If I may reflect on the hon. Gentleman's reference about darkness and British Standard Time, I would point out that a few hours changes the darkness but I doubt whether a week, a month or a year would change the hon. Member's political gloom.

Mr. Rankin

Will my right hon. Friend draw to the Commission's attention the fact that we have already had a Commission on this topic? Will he ask them to look at the views of that Commission before filing their proceedings?

Mr. Ross

I do not doubt that the Commission to be set up will look at the findings of the previous Commission, but it would be wrong to suggest that they are covering exactly the same ground because this Commission will be looking at the matter from the point of view of the whole United Kingdom.

Mrs. Ewing

Does the Secretary of State accept as a good beginning point for this Commission the finishing point of the last Commission—namely, that Scotland is a nation? Is he aware that this House and the United Nations Charter recognise the rights of a nation to self-determination? In the event of the Commission finding against self-government for the next election, will the Secretary of State give an undertaking that he will accept that the verdict of the ballot boxes can overrule that finding?

Mr. Ross

The hon. Lady has spent a long time proving a point which does not require to be proved—that Scotland is a nation. Scotland as a nation is in a very fruitful partnership, and from my point of view any indication of a change in that will have to be looked at very carefully indeed.