§ 7. Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the time scale for reducing the number of hon. Members representing Scottish constituencies. [126342]
§ Dr. ReidIt is not possible to be precise on this. The Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland has not yet formally started its next review. It is for the Commission to determine when this commences, keeping in mind the requirement that it needs to report between December 2002 and December 2006. Following the report, implementation will take some time.
§ 9. Mr. SymsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Boundary Commission for Scotland about the Government's plan to reduce the number of hon. Members representing Scottish constituencies. [126344]
§ Dr. ReidI have had no such discussions. The rules for the redistribution of parliamentary seats are set out in the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, as amended, and the Scotland Act 1998. The Boundary Commission is required to follow these in any review of the number of constituencies in Scotland.
§ 25. Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister about reducing the number of hon. Members sitting for Scottish constituencies. [126360]
§ Dr. ReidI have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on various matters.