§ 28. Mr. Canavanasked the Lord President of the Council how many representations he has received over the past six months on the subject of the Government's proposals on devolution; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CanavanWill my hon. Friend make a special appeal to those Tories who are thinking about defying their party's three-line Whip against the devolution Bill that they should follow their own consciences in this matter, and also the wishes of the vast majority of Scottish people, by voting for the Bill instead of meekly submitting to the diktats of that great champion of individual liberty, the iron lady with the wooden head?
§ Mr. SmithHon. Members opposite will have listened to what my hon. Friend said, but obviously there are difficulties among them on the question of devolution, which may be epitomised by the fact that no Opposition Front Bench spokesman is present for these Questions.
§ Mr. Gordon WilsonIn view of the new-found interest in democratic expression of opinion among Government supporters, will the hon. Gentleman say whether he, too, intends to impose a three-line Whip containing a conscience clause? Is he aware that there is great 24 disappointment that the Bill which has just been published does not go further than the abysmal earlier White Papers?
§ Mr. SmithThe first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Patronage Secretary. On the second part, no one expects people like nationalists, who are dedicated to breaking up the United Kingdom, to have any sympathy for proposals which not only give genuine devolution to Scotland and Wales but will in the end strengthen the unity of the United Kingdom.