HC Deb 24 May 1973 vol 857 cc663-5
Q8. Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on devolution for Scotland and Wales.

The Prime Minister

Our policy is that, within the framework of a united country, power should be more widely devolved. Further proposals will be brought forward in the light of the report of the Commission on the Constitution and of local government reform.

Mr. Taylor

Will my right hon. Friend say whether the Green Paper which is to be published after the Kilbrandon Report has been considered will relate to devolution for Scotland or proposals for devolution throughout the United Kingdom?

The Prime Minister

That is a matter on which a decision has yet to be taken. We have not received the Kilbrandon report. We must be given the opportunity of studying it when it is published which may not be for some time yet. Then we can consider the best way of putting forward proposals. They will be in the form of a Green Paper.

Mr. Grimond

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this firm commitment to devolution will be widely welcomed in the Conservative Party? Do I understand that we shall have not only the Green Paper but proposals in the form of a Bill dealing with devolution for Scotland? This has long been promised.

The Prime Minister

We have always said that we will take into consideration the report of the Commission on the Constitution and will wait until the reform of local government in Scotland has been achieved before making further proposals. After all, we are the only party that has produced detailed proposals for devolution for Scotland. They were produced by a most distinguished committee. It is surely right that we should produce the Green Paper first, and let the House debate it and public opinion consider it before we take further steps in the form of a Bill.

Mr. Selwyn Gummer

Does my right hon. Friend not agree, now we have provided, through the European Community. a framework for dealing with those proposals with which national Governments are too small to deal, that it ought to be possible for people to have some arrangement so that they can deal on a much more local basis with local affairs?

The Prime Minister

In broad principle, that is true. The problem is always to work out the machinery of devolution which allows people power to participate and at the same time to work out the organisation which is able to meet their needs, taking into account the demands of the community.

Mr. James Hamilton

When the Government publish the Green Paper will they take into consideration the views of the majority of Scottish Conservative Members on this issue? Will the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that when he takes a decision it will be beneficial to the economy of Scotland, bearing in mind the hopeless situation in which we now find ourselves?

The Prime Minister

Of course we will take account of views expressed in the House. I hardly think that the hon. Gentleman has much to support his last accusation.