HC Deb 13 December 1976 vol 922 cc474-5W
Mr. Sillars

asked the Lord President of the Council which parts of Command Paper No. 6348 have not been included in his legislative proposals for devolution.

Mr. John Smith

The Scotland and Wales Bill reflects very closely the proposals set out in "Our Changing Democracy" (Cmnd. 6348), subject to the amendments summarised in the Supplementary Statement (Cmnd. 6585).

Mr. Sillars

asked the Lord President of the Council how the British Airports Authority is affected by his proposals for devolution.

Mr. John Smith

Paragraph 137 of Cmnd. 6348 announced that the Government would discuss future arrangements for airports owned and operated by the British Airports Authority (BAA) with the Scottish Administration, and would aim to achieve a transfer of responsibility while retaining the managerial expertise of the Authority in Scotland.

Since aerodromes are included within group 15 in Part I of Schedule 6 to the Scotland and Wales Bill, BAA airports will come within the legislative competence of the Scottish Assembly and within the powers of the Scottish Executive, but devolution of these powers will not be made effective until the Government have been able to consider with the Scottish Administration whether the BAA should be made responsible, under Clause 85 and Schedule 11, to the administration for its activities in Scotland. But subject to paragraph 7 of Schedule 2 to the Assembly will be free to legislate to set up a separate Scottish body.

Mr. Kinnock

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will list the Government, public bodies and agenies whose salaries are currently determined by the Westminster Government, which it is proposed to devolve to the Scottish and Welsh assemblies.

Mr. John Smith

To the extent that it is currently a central Government responsibility, responsibility for determining the salaries, together with other ministerial powers, of the following statutory public bodies or agencies will be devolved:

Scotland

  • Common Services Agency
  • Countryside Commission for Scotland
  • Crofters Commission
  • Development Corporations
  • Health Boards
  • Highlands and Islands Development Board
  • Historic Buildings Council for Scotland
  • Lands Tribunal for Scotland
  • Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland
  • Mental Welfare Commission
  • National Galleries of Scotland
  • National Library of Scotland
  • National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland
  • Parole Board for Scotland
  • Red Deer Commission
  • Rent Assessment Panels
  • Rent Tribunals
  • Scottish Certificate of Education Examination Board
  • Scottish Dental Estimates Board
  • Scottish Development Agency
  • Scottish Law Commission
  • Scottish Tourist Board
  • Scottish Transport Group
  • State Hospitals.

Wales

  • Compensation Authorities under Licensing Act 1964
  • Development Corporations
  • Health Authorities (including Welsh Health Technical Services Organisation)
  • Historic Buildings Council for Wales
  • Land Authority for Wales
  • Rent Assessment Panels
  • Rent Tribunals
  • Wales Tourist Board
  • Welsh Development Agency
  • Welsh National Water Development Authority (and its Regional and Local Land Drainage Committees).

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Lord President of the Council how many letters he has received since 1st November opposing plans for devolution.

Mr. John Smith

Four.