§ Mr. LIVINGSTONEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, when carrying out the reorganisation of certain of the Departments in Scotland, he will bear in mind the need for a more sympathetic spirit in regard to land settlement administration?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe hon. Member seems to be under a misapprehension as to the relations between a Minister and a Department for which he is responsible to Parliament. It is the duty of the Department to carry out loyally and efficiently the policy laid down by the Minister, and I have no reason to suppose that any of the Departments under my control have ever interpreted their duty differently. In my proposals for reorganisation I shall have full regard to the efficiency of administration and I am not to be taken as accepting the suggestion underlying the hon. Member's question.