§ 13. Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Campaign for a Scottish Assembly on the future government of Scotland.
§ Mr. LangRepresentations on the future Government of Scotland from the Campaign for a Scottish Assembly are now reduced to a pre-printed postcard campaign.
§ Mrs. MichieAs the majority of people in Scotland have made clear their demand for a Scottish Parliament, does not the Secretary of state demean his office by his reactionary attitude and does not he denigrate and insult the Scottish nation by implying that it is too poor and too stupid to look after its own affairs?
§ Mr. LangI should never dream of making such a suggestion. The last time that the Scottish people were asked to pass judgment on whether they wanted an Assembly, they did not support the idea—only about one third voted in favour. As for the present opinion of the Scottish people, an authoritative Mori poll has shown that since June 1989 there has been a steady fall in support for a Scottish Assembly from 49 per cent. two years ago to 33 per cent. now. I hardly think that that is a ringing endorsement for a policy which happens to find favour with the hon. Lady.