§ Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
§ 10.37 p.m.
Mr. Hector Munro (Dumfries)I am glad to associate the Conservative Party with this Bill. It is small in size but nevertheless important in that Scotland holds in high esteem the office of Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The office 754 requires adequate finance to enable him to provide hospitality at Holyrood and to journey about the country in the fulfilment of his duties in the way we have come to expect.
No one will disagree when I say that the holders of this office have carried out their many duties with great dignity and have added much to the history of Scotland. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the most important event in the annual calendar of our country and it is right that Her Majesty's representative to the Assembly should continue to carry out his important duty in the manner we all want, without financial worry. I am only sorry that no member of the Scottish National Party or the Liberal Party has come to support the Bill.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Robert Hughes)I thank the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. Monro) for his remarks about the Bill. I too pay tribute to the Lords High Commissioner who have done their duty in such a splendid manner over the years. It is true that the Bill is necessary to provide the wherewithal to enable them to do the job properly. Since 1971 the figure specified in the previous legislation has been inadequate. We think that the proposed system will provide a much more flexible arrangement to keep pace with costs.
I note the hon. Gentleman's remarks about the absence of any member of the Scottish National Party, especially since it claims to care a great deal about the traditions of Scotland. The fact that the General Assembly has been meeting annually since 1694 and except for one year, has always been attended by a commissioner, illustrates the history of the office and of the General Assembly. I do not want to go into detail on that now.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.
§ Clauses 2 and 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
§ Bill reported, without amendment.
§ Motion made, and Question, That the Bill be now read the Third time, put forthwith pursuant to Standing Order No. 56 (Third Reading) and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read the Third time, and passed.