§ 8. Mr. Rifkindasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on the White Paper on Devolution.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Harry Ewing)Nine letters have been received commenting on various aspects of the Government's proposals for devolution.
§ Mr. RifkindDoes the Minister appreciate that although we believe that the White Paper is right to provide a right of review over the decisions of the Assembly, we find it intolerable that this right should be given not to the elected House of Commons but to the appointed Secretary of State? We believe this view to be intolerable—even if that office were to be occupied by such a benign and impartial gentleman as the right hon. Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. Ross).
§ Mr. Harry EwingIn replying to that benign and impartial supplementary question, let me say that these matters are for discussion in the debates that will take place between now and the publication of the legislation. I hope that the debates take place in a more orderly fashion and that we do not have the noises which have emanated so far from other parts of the Chamber.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. This matter is to be debated early after the Christmas Recess. We should get on and deal with other Questions.