§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to implement the changes to the procedures of the Scottish Grand Committee set out in the White Paper, "Scotland in the Union: A Partnership for Good".
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§ Mr. LangI am today placing in the Library of the House proposed amendments to standing orders and an explanatory note. The amendments will implement our commitment in the White Paper to expand the role of the Scottish Grand Committee. They reflect discussions I have had with the Opposition parties. The amendments provide for the Grand Committee:
- to consider the principle of Bills relating exclusively to Scotland;
- to hold debates on subordinate legislation;
- to hold up to 12 general debates a year, with Opposition parties able to choose subjects for some of them;
- to put questions to Ministers, both from the House of Commons and the House of Lords;
- to receive oral statements from Ministers; and
- to hold adjournment debates.
The amendments will be tabled in due course.