Lieutenant-Colonel Sir JOHN HOPEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction at the proposed electoral divisions of education areas and an apprehension in the more thinly-populated parishes that they maybe entirely unrepresented on the education authority; and whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the number of members for each electoral division, in order that seven or eight may be the general number, and thereby give better opportunity for the operation of the advantages of proportional representation and the securing that minorities are represented?
§ Mr. MUNROI have carefully considered all the representations which I have received regarding the proposed electoral divisions of education areas. As a result I have decided that the representation, particularly of the more thinly-populated districts, should be considerably increased, in order to ensure a better opportunity for the operation of the system of proportional representation and the due representation of minorities.