§ 37. Mr. James Davidsonasked the Lord President of the Council if he will move to appoint a Select Committee on the Scottish Office with the same powers as those on the Ministry of Agriculture and on Science and Technology.
§ Mr. CrossmanI would refer my hon. Friend to the remarks I made on this subject during the debate on the Motion to set up the Select Committee on Education and Science on Thursday, 22nd February.—[Vol. 759, c. 789–94.]
§ Mr. DavidsonMight one not infer from that reply that the Scottish Office is above criticism, whereas the Ministries of Agriculture and of Science and Technology are not?
§ Mr. CrossmanAnyone who referred to what I said in the debate would know that what I suggested was that I had had requests both from Welsh Members and Scottish Members on the Government back benches—very urgent requests—to consider the possibility of specialist committees of this kind, and that I was prepared to consider the requests on their merits, bearing in mind the need to get sufficient hon. Members to man these committees.