HC Deb 16 June 1969 vol 785 cc9-10
6. Mr. Gordon Campbell

asked the Paymaster-General what consultations she has had with the Commission on the Constitution regarding the submission of evidence.

Mrs. Hart

None, Sir. The Corn-mission has announced its readiness to receive evidence from all who wish to submit it, and no doubt those concerned are now proceeding accordingly. The submission of written evidence from Government Departments has already begun.

Mr. Campbell

Have the Government offered to provide factual and statistical information to the Commission, and does the Paymaster-General herself, in her devolution rôle, propose to offer any other evidence to the Commission?

Mrs. Hart

As I said, the submission of written evidence from Government Departments has begun, and it consists entirely of factual descriptions of existing functions of the Departments and of their structure so far as these are relevant to the matters of the Commission is considering. It is a little too early to say anything about the submission of evidence by Ministers.

Mr. Dalyell

Will the Government's evidence be made available in the Library?

Mrs. Hart

I am prepared to consider that, but so far we have not reached the stage of assuming that this naturally followed.