Scottish Parliamentary Business

HC Deb 21 July 1980 vol 989 cc23-4

35. Mr. Canavan

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to publish the report of the inter-party talks on the arrangement of Scottish parliamentary business.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I hope that it will be possible to make this report available before the House rises for the Summer Recess.

Mr. Canavan

In view of the indecent haste with which the Government repealed the Scotland Act more than a year ago, why are they taking so long to come out with proposals for dealing with Scottish parliamentary business? If the Government are afraid of genuine devolution for Scotland, will they give more powers to the Scottish Grand Committee, where the membership more accurately reflects the way that the people of Scotland voted in the general election?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

The delay has nothing to do with the Government. We have sent out the copies of the report and are awaiting the responses of the participants in the talks. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to be censorious, he should censor the other participants, not the Government's representative.