CONSTITUTION

HC Deb 09 April 1974 vol 872 cc159-61

Q6. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister if he will give details of the staff to assist Lord Crowther-Hunt; and when the House of Commons may expect to be informed of the outcome of his consultations.

The Prime Minister

Lord Crowther-Hunt will be assisted by the appropriate staff according to the particular constitutional issues on which he is required to formulate advice. On the second part of the Question, Lord Crowther-Hunt has already started preliminary talks on the Kilbrandon Reports and arrangements are being made for the responsible Ministers to conduct discussions with various interested bodies. At this early stage I cannot say when the Government's consultations will be completed, but they will be conducted as speedily as possible.

Mr. Hamilton

Since the Kilbrandon Report rejected the concept of separatism, which is the plank on which the Scottish National Party stands, and also rejected the policy of federalism, on which the Liberal Party stands, and has not yet considered the policy on which we stand—namely, further devolution, which is the essential problem—will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that Lord Crowther-Hunt will consider how best to transfer more decision-making to Scotland rather than complete separatism, which is rejected by the vast majority of Scots?

The Prime Minister

Her Majesty's Government are totally opposed to the proposals for separatism, and I understand that to be the position of the other major parties. There are certain proposals made in the various Kilbrandon Reports which seem to be worth pursuing in discussions of this kind. On what my hon. Friend said about the position, as I have interpreted its recent statement, of the Scottish Labour Party, this too will be taken fully into account.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

Since the Leader of the House has said that we will proceed with all possible speed on this matter, can the Prime Minister assure us that the White Paper outlining the Government's views will be published before the end of this year?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir, and I would hope that it will be considerably earlier than that, although I cannot give a definite commitment.

Mr. Harry Ewing

In recognising the urgency of this matter, will my right hon. Friend ensure that the electorate, particularly in Scotland, has a clearly defined choice at the next election between devolution, as represented by the Labour Party, and separatism, as represented by the Scottish National Party?

The Prime Minister

I have made our position clear on separatism. My hon. Friend has published a weighty work on this matter recently with other hon. Friends. We certainly agree that the position should be clarified as quickly as possible so that the Scottish people, as well as voters in other parts of the country who are concerned with these matters, can have a clear choice.

Mr. Douglas Henderson

Will the right hon. Gentleman ignore the reactionary views of the Scottish Labour Party, which is opposed to self-government for Scotland, and recognise the growing impatience of the people of Scotland for self-government? Will he undertake that legislation will be introduced before the next General Election?

The Prime Minister

I note the implication of the hon. Member's question. He referred to reactionary views. It would be reactionary for me to refuse to consider the views of anyone in Scotland. We shall consider everyone's views.

Mr. Ioan Evans

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the people of Wales have also rejected a policy of separatism and that in the recent elections 90 per cent. voted against the Welsh Nationalists?

The Prime Minister

I noted that point when it came up. Of course, the main question referring to Lord Crowther-Hunt covers equally the future of these matters in Wales as well as in Scotland.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Plaid Cymru Party is co-operating fully in consultations with the noble Lord and that we confidently expect a White Paper to be published by 30th June?

The Prime Minister

I made it clear that I was not committing myself to any date—although I thought that the date suggested by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Taylor) of the end of the year was too gloomy. I am not making a commitment to any particular date, but I hope that we should have it before the Summer Recess.