Scotland Bill (Hansard, 23 February 1998)

HC Deb 23 February 1998 vol 307 cc40-146 40

§ [5TH ALLOTTED DAY]

§ Considered in Committee [Progress, 12 February].

§ MR. MICHAEL LORD in the Chair]

4.31 pm

§ Mr. John Swinney (North Tayside)
On a point of order, Mr. Lord. I should like to draw your attention to a press announcement by the Scottish Office this afternoon. It announced a consultation paper on the details of the Scottish Parliament's tax-varying powers, which are the subject of our discussions. I called at the Vote Office at 4.15 pm to try to obtain a copy of that document, but it was not available. That is unusual, as it contains an interpretation of the contents of the clauses before us today, to which hon. Members have tabled amendments.

§ The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means (Mr. Michael Lord)
I understand that the Minister would like to respond to that point.

§ The Minister for Home Affairs and Devolution, Scottish Office (Mr. Henry McLeish)
Copies of that documents can be obtained in the House of Commons Library, and I apologise for any inconvenience.

§ Mr. James Wallace (Orkney and Shetland)
Further to that point of order, Mr. Lord. I was unaware of this difficulty until the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr Swinney) made his point of order. If the press have been informed, would it not have been a simple courtesy to send a fax message to hon. Members who are known to have an interest in these matters?