HC Deb 03 July 1978 vol 953 cc28-9
39. Mr. Adley

asked the Lord President of the Council what recent representations he has received concerning the amendments made to the Scotland Bill.

Mr. John Smith

Recent representations have been concerned mainly with the referendum, with transport and with the Tweed box.

Mr. Adley

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that on two occasions in this House we tried and failed to discuss the Government's proposals on the change in the constitution of the British Tourist Authority? Does he not agree that this matter concerns the whole of the United Kingdom, and will he give an assurance that the House will have an opportunity to discuss this important matter before the Bill leaves the Commons?

Mr. Smith

I, too, regretted the fact that we were not able to discuss this matter when we dealt with the Bill earlier. However, the Government, in response to representations, tabled an amendment in another place to increase to nine the membership of the British Tourist Authority. I believe that that is a reasonable compromise between the competing interests in this instance. I hope that it will be endorsed by this House.