HC Deb 27 October 1997 vol 299 cc574-5
12. Mr. Dalyell

What consultation he has had with the Scottish Office since the referendum on the transfer of those responsibilities which are currently his to the Scottish Parliament. [11668]

Mr. Straw

Our proposals for devolution are set out in the White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament". There are no plans for my responsibilities to be transferred to the Scottish Parliament.

Mr. Dalyell

What will be the demarcation between Edinburgh and Westminster in relation to the delicate issue of responsibility for drugs?

Mr. Straw

The White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament" makes it clear that the criminal law in relation to drugs will be a reserved matter and will remain the responsibility of my Department. The Scottish Executive will inherit the current responsibilities of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate. Those responsibilities include drug misuse, health, treatment and education, as well as responsibility for the police and prosecution authorities' enforcement in Scotland of drug misuse legislation, which will be set by this House and Parliament.

Mr. Hogg

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that, if the Government's proposals for devolution are enacted, the House will have no say over policies relating to Home Office type affairs, which are now the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Scotland? Would it not be wrong, therefore, for Scottish Members of Parliament sitting in this House to have any say on Home Office affairs in so far as they relate to England?

Mr. Straw

I do not accept the assumption behind the right hon. and learned Gentleman's question, not least because I have made it clear that issues of criminal law relating to drugs will be a reserved matter for this Parliament. Therefore, it is entirely right that Members of Parliament, whichever constituencies they represent, should not only speak but vote on those matters.