§ Mr. Reidasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many public appointments are presently within his patronage; and how many he expects will be transferred to the Chief Executive of the Scottish Assembly.
§ Mr. William RossI refer to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton) on 3rd March 1976—[Vol. 906, c.598–602.]—about paid public appointments for which I am solely responsible. Of these 460 appointments, I estimate that about 380–83 per cent.—would become the responsibility of the Scottish Administration under the present devolution proposals.