§ 48. Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what representations he has had from the Law Society for Scotland and Scottish law agents on clauses 53 to 56 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Bill.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandMy noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate has received three letters from the secretary of the Law Society of Scotland. I have received a letter from the secretary of the Scottish. Law Agents Society.
§ Mr. HughesAs a result of these representations, clause 53 of the Bill no longer applies to Scotland. I welcome the Solicitor-General taking account of those representations, but was there not a total failure on his part adequately to consult Scottish legal opinion before these measures were included in the Bill?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandNo, I do not accept that at all. I am surprised that some of the representations that I have received have made no reference to the Criminal Evidence Act 1965, on which clause 53 is largely based, although it does not apply to public records. It is more appropriate to await the report from the Scottish Law Commission. It was against that background, and because of the representations that were received, that the Government sought to disapply this clause to Scotland.
Later—
§ Mr. StrangOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I draw it to your attention that, while we have now passed the last Scottish Question Time before the House rises for the recess, the Secretary of State for Scotland has not yet made clear the Government's intentions with regard to the budgets of those local authorities which are in excess of the guidelines for the financial year which starts in a few days' time? There is immense concern in my constituency that we still do not know whether the Secretary of State intends to enforce further job cuts and reductions in services? May I put it to you—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) knows that that is none of my business. It is a matter for the Minister.
§ Mr. Strangrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman has not so far submitted a point of order. Perhaps he will try to hang his remarks on to a point of order.
§ Mr. StrangMy point of order is to seek your guidance, Mr. Speaker. Would it not be utterly reprehensible if an important announcement of this nature were made other than in the House of Commons?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is another matter, on which I shall not comment.