HC Deb 23 April 1969 vol 782 cc448-9
8. Mr. Clark Hutchison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the next official state visit of the head of a foreign state will be made to Scotland.

Mr. Ross

The President of the Italian Republic will spend three days in Scotland, from 25th to 27th April, as part of the state visit to this country which began yesterday.

Mr. Hutchison

The right hon. Gentleman will remember the very successful visit of King Olav to Scotland in particular. Perhaps another visit from a Head of State of a Scandinavian country —Finland, for example—could be arranged?

Mr. Ross

As the hon. Gentleman will appreciate, there were very special ties and links in respect of the visit he mentioned. Certainly, if a similar sort of situation arose it would be given serious consideration.