HC Deb 10 November 1977 vol 938 cc156-7W
Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will communicate with the Zetland County Council specifying those clauses of the Zetland County Council Act 1974 which, assuming the Scotland Bill will pass in its present form, could be amended by the Scottish Assembly, and those which could not.

Mr. John Smith:

The Scottish Assembly would only be able to amend the 1974 Act if the amendment related to a devolved matter as defined in Schedule 10 to the Scotland Bill. This would exclude amendments relating to ports or energy. It is not practicable to list which sections of the 1974 Act may or may not be amended by the Assembly, because this would depend on the nature of the amendment. I shall be meeting representatives of Shetland Islands Council on 16th November.