HC Deb 07 November 1968 vol 772 cc159-60W
Q12. Mr. Gordon Campbell

asked the Prime Minister why Parliamentary Questions on the proposed commission on the constitution are to be answered by the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment, in view of the fact that his responsibilities do not extend to Scotland.

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend's concern with general constitutional matters makes it appropriate that he should answer questions affecting the Commission as a whole.

Mr. MacArthur

asked the Prime Minister (1) when, and with whom, consultations in Scotland on the appointment of a commission on the constitution will begin; and when he expects these consultations to end;

(2) to what extent the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Paymaster-General, respectively, will be responsible for beginning consultations in Scotland on the appointment of a commission on the constitution;

(3) what are the duties of the Paymaster-General in relation to the general problem of decentralisation and devolution which do not change the existing duties of the Secretary of State for Scotland;

(4) what are the duties of the Secretary of State for Scotland in relation to the general problem of decentralisation and devolution.

The Prime Minister

The formal consultations which will begin at once and will be carried out as expeditiously as possible will be with the Governments and authorities outside Great Britain. There will also be consultation with the leaders of the main Opposition parties and with industry. In addition my right honourable Friends and I will take careful note of any views that may be expressed by bodies in Scotland or indeed any part of Great Britain that would be relevant to the setting up of the Commission.

On the allocation of duties between Ministers, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has responsibility for the work of the Commission as a whole. My right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General is concerned among her other duties, with studying the general problem of decentralisation and devolution as it affects the United Kingdom. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland retains his special concern for issues of decentralisation and devolution affecting Scotland.