§ 39. Mr. Dempseyasked the Lord President of the Council if he will make arrangements to ensure that the Lord Advocate answers Questions at an earlier stage on the rota than at present.
§ Mr. WhitelawI am always willing to consider changes to the Question roster, through the usual channels, if there appears to be a general wish.
§ Mr. Dempseyis the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Lord Advocate has become known as Scotland's mystery man? Is he further aware that despite that Minister's expertise, although hon. Members may have Questions down to him they are never reached and never answered. [An HON. MEMBER: "Who is the Lord Advocate?"] Will the right hon. Gentleman consider returning to the former practice of the Lord Advocate taking his place on the Question roster?
§ Mr. WhitelawI am surprised that the hon. Gentleman makes that suggestion about my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate. In fact, rather departing from some previous practices, he is a Member of this House, whereas at times in the past Lord Advocates have not been Members. Nevertheless, I will look into the possibility of doing something about the Question roster.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterWhile not underrating the enthralling nature of the answers that my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate might give, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that many of us would prefer a rearrangement to enable my hon. Friend who answers for the Civil Service Department to be allowed to give an oral answer once or twice a year instead of being prevented from doing so by the amount of time taken in answering Scottish Questions?
§ Mr. WhitelawWhile that question from my right hon. Friend does not strictly arise on this Question, I certainly take note of what he has said.