§ Mrs. Winifred Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what transport functions are not to be devolved to the Scottish Assembly in terms of the Government's White Paper on Devolution.
§ Mr. William RossI would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 135, 136, 137 and 283 of the White Paper.
§ Mr. Michael Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much time and how many civil servants have been involved in planning about accommodation in a building for a Scottish Assembly.
§ Mr. William RossThis forms a minor part of the work of the Devolution Division of the Scottish Office in which a total of 18 officers are presently employed on all aspects of devolution. In addition, the Property Services Agency's Scottish Directorate, which will be responsible for carrying out conversion of the former Royal High School site, provides advice on technical and related questions.
§ Mr. Michael Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many replies he has received from newspaper editors to his recent circular about accommodation for lobby correspondents if a Scottish Assembly building were established.
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§ Mr. William RossFollowing the issue of the White Paper on devolution representations were received from certain organisations about the facilities to be provided for Press, radio and television at the proposed site of the Scottish Assembly in the buildings of the former Royal High School in Edinburgh. Editors and controllers of all interested bodies were thereafter invited to comment on this matter; and to date 19 replies have been received.
§ Mr. Michael Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Church of Scotland about the use of the word "Assembly".
§ Mr. William RossThis question was not raised by the Church of Scotland in its written or oral observations on the Consultation Document of June 1974. I have not yet received the Church's comments on the recent White Paper.
§ Mr. Michael Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with officers and staff of the House of Commons about planning for the organisation and accommodation of a Scottish Assembly.
§ Mr. William RossDuring the course of the last few months officials of my Department and Property Services Agency have had a number of informal discussions with officers of the House as a basis for assessing what staff, accommodation and facilities would be needed for the Scottish Assembly.