§ 50. Mr. Grimondasked the Lord President of the Council if he will give a guarantee that in any legislation concerned with devolution the special position of Orkney and Shetlands with their Scandinavian background and differentiation from Scotland in history, traditions and law is taken into account.
§ Mr. Edward ShortThe Government are proceeding on the basis of the White Paper of September 1974, which proposed a directly-elected Assembly for Scotland as a whole, and their proposals will be set out in the forthcoming White Paper. Any views on these proposals which may be expressed by the people of Orkney and Shetland will be carefully considered.
§ Mr. John Evansasked the Lord President of the Council if he intends to introduce a White Paper on devolution of powers to elected regional councils in England; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 30th October to the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Wainwright).—[Vol. 898, c. 596.]