§ 10. Mr. Fairbairnasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with officials of the Post 1469 Office in Scotland with regard to suggested alterations in addresses.
§ Mr. MillanConsultations about the use of the names of the new Scottish regions in postal addresses are still in progress.
§ Mr. FairbairnIs the Minister aware that the Post Office believes that the onus is on the public to say why there should not be a change from counties to regions in their addresses? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that this measure, which the Post Office has already forced on areas in England, is unnecessary, unpopular and undemocratic?
§ Mr. MillanI am afraid that the hon. and learned Gentleman is wrong. In fact, the Post Office is at this minute consulting the Post Office Users' Council for Scotland. Among other bodies it is also consulting the Scottish Council of the CBI, the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) and the new regional islands and district councils. It will consult anyone else, including even the hon. and learned Gentleman, if he cares to send the Post Office his views.
§ Mr. MacCormickIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the intolerable suggestion that Argyll should be called West Strathclyde? Is he further aware that Argyll is the oldest area with a Gaelic name in Scotland? Will the Minister take a stronger line on this unparalleled attempt to rob us of our identity?
§ Mr. MillanStrathclyde is also a very old name. No decisions on these matters have yet been reached. It is not strictly a matter for me, but I am happy to convey to the Post Office any representations that are made on these matters.
§ Mr. Alexander WilsonIf the hon. Member for Argyll (Mr. MacCormick) is so proud of his county, will my hon. Friend confirm that slogans in the county of Argyll saying "Go home you Sassenach, go home" are removed by the Scottish National Party?
§ Mr. MillanAs far as I know, it is not proposed by anyone that "Sassenach" should appear in any postal address.