Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 December 1957.
Mr Eustace Willis
, Edinburgh East
12:00,
10 December 1957
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many protests he has received against the introduction of the block grant proposals from local authorities, local authority associations, and other bodies in Scotland, respectively.
Hon. John Maclay
, Renfrewshire West
I have received representations against the proposed general grant from the local authority associations, 15 individual local authorities, and 21 educational organisations, including 11 local associations of the Educational Institute for Scotland, and two other bodies.
Mr Eustace Willis
, Edinburgh East
In view of the overwhelming Opposition to the proposals in Scotland, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that he ought to try now to govern Scotland in accordance with Scottish needs and drop the Bill?
Hon. John Maclay
, Renfrewshire West
I can only reply that I am convinced that it will be realised in time that the proposals are in the best interests of local government as a whole and of the services concerned.
Mr Herbert Morrison
, Lewisham South
Can the Secretary of State say how many letters or resolutions he has received in favour of the Government's proposals?
Hon. John Maclay
, Renfrewshire West
Not without notice.
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.
The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".
