HL Deb 05 April 1973 vol 341 cc416-8

3.33 p.m.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD POLWARTH)

My Lords. as the italics note on the Order Paper indicates, I propose to move these seven Parliamentary Constituencies Orders together, but if any noble Lord objects to my taking this course I will move any one or more of the Orders separately, as desired. Since there seems to be no objection, I beg to move that the seven Draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) Orders 1973, the Motions for the approval of which stand in my name on the Order Paper, be approved. I might just add that these Orders affect the boundaries of 16 Parliamentary Consituencies in Scotland. They result from an interim review by the Boundary Commission for Scotland. The changes are all essentially of a minor character, and no objections were lodged against the Commission's recommendations.

My Lords, it is of course true that the local Government (Scotland) Bill at present passing through another place will, subject to your Lordships eventual approval, alter local government boundaries in a way which will require a much more fundamental reappraisal of Parliamentary Constituency boundaries. Clearly, however, such a reappraisal would be appropriate only to a general review. The Commission are bound under the Statute to report on their next general review between 1979 and 1984. In the meantime, it is desirable that the anomalies disclosed by the Commission's Report should be cleared up, for two reasons. First, existing local authority boundaries in Scotland will remain in use up to May, 1975. Secondly, for the period after 1975 until the new Parliamentary Constituencies are adopted after the Commission's next general review, it will be helpful to have constituency boundaries based on local government boundaries as they existed immediately before they were reorganised rather than on such boundaries as they existed several years ago. I hope that those explanations will be sufficient to enable your Lordships to approve the Orders.

Moved, That the Draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) (West Aberdeenshire, North Angus and Mearns, Aberdeen North and Aberdeen South) Order 1973, laid before the House on March 5, be approved.

That the Draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) (East Renfrewshire and Paisley) Order 1973, laid before the House on March 5, be approved.

That the Draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) (Midlothian and Edinburgh East) Order 1973, laid before the House on March 5, be approved.

That the Draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) (Central Fife and Kirkcaldy) Order 1973, laid before the House on March 5, be approved.

That the Draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) (South Angus and Dundee West) Order 1973, laid before the House on March 5, be approved.

That the Draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) (West Stirlingshire and Stirling, Falkirk and Grangemouth) Order 1973, laid before the House on March 5, be approved.

That the Draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) (West Stirlingshire and Stirling, Falkirk and Grangemouth) Order 1973, laid before the House on approved.—(Lord Polwarth.)

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Polwarth, for the clear explanation of the position, and particularly for going on to explain the consequences of the Local Government Reorganisation Bill presently before another place, and when it will affect the Parliamentary position.

On Question, Motion agreed to.