Royal Commission on Local Government

HC Deb 23 October 1968 vol 770 cc1259-60

5. Mr. Mac Arthur

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government will be published.

13. Mr. Brewis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the Royal Commission on Local Government.

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

I understand that the Royal Commission now expects to complete its report early next year. Publication may take a few weeks thereafter.

Mr. MacArthur

Will the report be presented to the right hon. Gentleman, or to the Paymaster-General, who has now taken over his responsibility for devolution?

Mr. Ross

I think the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the report will be presented in the usual way to the Minister responsible, and that is the Secretary of State. May I take this opportunity of correcting what may have been a misapprehension. Publication of the report is not a matter for the Secretary of State, but for the Commission itself.