Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 11 March 1947.
Mr Malcolm Macmillan
, Na h-Eileanan an Iar
12:00,
11 March 1947
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Scottish Economic white paper will be published.
Mr Joseph Westwood
, Stirling and Falkirk District of Burghs
The preparation of a white paper on industry and employment in Scotland is in hand, and it is hoped to publish it before the Whitsun Recess.
Mr Malcolm Macmillan
, Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Is my right hon. Friend aware that Scottish Members enter the present Debate—if they do enter it—under the handicap that they have not got full and up-to-date information on the Scottish economic situation? Will he consult with the Leader of the House and other colleagues, with a view to giving us at least two days to debate the Scottish economic situation; will he undertake to have consultations to that effect?
Mr Joseph Westwood
, Stirling and Falkirk District of Burghs
The question of the allocation of the time of the House is a matter for the Leader of the House and not for me.
Major Guy Lloyd
, Renfrewshire Eastern
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many Scottish people hope that when this white paper is produced it will be more realistic than his own speech recently on the state of Scotland?
Mr Malcolm Macmillan
, Na h-Eileanan an Iar
May I press the right hon. Gentleman? Will he undertake, at all events, to press his colleague the Leader of the House, and anyone else concerned with making these arrangements, for a two days' Debate? It is an extremely important matter for Scottish Members.
Mr Joseph Westwood
, Stirling and Falkirk District of Burghs
I am always ready to discuss with my colleagues any question affecting Scotland.
Colonel Sir Alan Gomme-Duncan
, Perth
I have two questions. First, would the right hon. Gentleman not only discuss it but do a bit of gingering up work with his colleagues, and see that they listen to him; secondly, could we not have this white paper before the Easter Recess and not before the Whitsun Recess, which would at any rate help?
Mr Joseph Westwood
, Stirling and Falkirk District of Burghs
No Secretary of State for Scotland in the past has had a more sympathetic body of colleagues and more help in the fight for Scotland than I have.
A document issued by the Government laying out its policy, or proposed policy, on a topic of current concern.Although a white paper may occasion consultation as to the details of new legislation, it does signify a clear intention on the part of a government to pass new law. This is a contrast with green papers, which are issued less frequently, are more open-ended and may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation.
More from wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
