HC Deb 12 March 1979 vol 964 c98W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland was representing the views of his Department when, during the Scottish Assembly referendum campaign, he stated at a public meeting in Glasgow on 23 February that he could not understand how anyone could say that abstentions did not count as"No ".

Mr. Millan

My hon. Friend's statement was made in the context of the provisions in section 85(2) of the Scotland Act. This section sets for the"Yes"votes a target of 40 per cent. of the persons entitled to vote in the referendum. No such target was set for those who voted"No"or for those who abstained.