HC Deb 11 May 1976 vol 911 c136W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Lord President of the Council how many letters have been received by his Department on the subject of devolution; how many letters have been sent from addresses in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; and what is his estimate of the number of letters in support of the Government's proposals.

Mr. Foot

Since the publication of the White Paper "Our Changing Democracy: Proposals for Scotland and Wales" (Cmnd. 6348), the number of letters received by Privy Council Office Ministers and by the Constitution Unit is as follows:

  1. (a) from addresses in England—42 from the general public and 14 from organisations:
  2. (b) from addresses in Scotland—42 from the general public and eight from organisations;
  3. (c) from addresses in Wales—58 from the general public and seven from organisations;
  4. (d) from addresses in Northern Ireland—Nil.
  5. (e) total—142 from the general public and 29 from organisations.

Of these letters, 17 from the general public and five from organisations specifically support the Government's proposals. It is not possible to establish conclusively how many others would support the White Paper in broad terms while seeking certain modifications.