HC Deb 23 June 1980 vol 987 cc20-1
35. Mr. Canavan

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what conclusions were reached at the inter-party talks on the handling of Scottish parliamentary business.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Norman St. John-Stevas)

I must ask the hon. Member to await the report on the inter-party talks which will be available shortly.

Mr. Canavan

Although many of us would approve an arrangement for Scottish parliamentary committees meeting in Scotland instead of here in Westminster, does the right hon. Gentleman accept that that is no substitute for genuine devolution? What message does he have for the Scottish Tories who took the advice of Lord Home to vote "No" in the referendum so as to get a better form of devolution than the proposals in the Scotland Act? Is that just another empty Tory promise, like the Hampden Park fiasco?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I cannot comment on the recommendations of the Committee about Scotland. The Committee has not yet reported. It would be quite improper of me to make any comments.

As for the Scottish Tories, I send them a message of good will. I hope that they will redouble their efforts in Scotland to ensure a Tory majority at the next election.

Mr. Foulkes

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why he could not give the House an assurance on Thursday of last week that there would be a debate on these all-party talks at the same time as the debate on devolution for Northern Ireland? If there is such a thing as a West Lothian question, it applies equally to Northern Ireland as it does to Scotland.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I think that it is better to keep these matters distinct. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that there will be time to debate this report after it is published.

Mr. Adley

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that for those of us who still believe in the principle of devolution, the Government are conducting these talks in good faith?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I am grateful for my hon. Friend's unnecessary assurance.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

Will the right hon. Gentleman perhaps give a hint to the House of what radical and revolutionary proposals will be coming from these talks which will make worth while all the weeks of work that have gone into them?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I am afraid that I cannot give any advance leak of the report. If the hon. Gentleman wants leaks, I suggest he reads The Guardian.