Scottish Business

Oral Answers to Questions — House of Commons – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 27 April 1987.

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Photo of Mr Tam Dalyell Mr Tam Dalyell , Linlithgow 12:00, 27 April 1987

asked the Lord Privy Seal what consideration he has given to changes in the procedures and facilities of the House designed to improve the handling of Scottish business.

Photo of Mr John Biffen Mr John Biffen , North Shropshire

I have no such proposals for change in mind at present.

Photo of Mr Tam Dalyell Mr Tam Dalyell , Linlithgow

Will the right hon. Gentleman improve on the position whereby a letter to me as a Scottish Member of Parliament from the Secretary of State for Scotland was highlighted at 11 am on Thursday 23 April by the Prime Minister's press secretary at a meeting with the Lobby press? Does that not prove yet again that in the matter of the raid on the BBC in Glasgow in relation to the Zircon affair Mr. Bernard Ingham was the organ grinder and the Secretary of State one of the monkeys?

Photo of Mr Bernard Weatherill Mr Bernard Weatherill , Croydon North East

Order. I find it difficult to relate this to the handling of Scottish business.

Photo of Mr Tam Dalyell Mr Tam Dalyell , Linlithgow

It is entirely a matter of the procedures of the Scottish Office. It is a unique procedure in the history of the Scottish Office that a letter to a Scottish Member of Parliament should be highlighted—

Photo of Mr Bernard Weatherill Mr Bernard Weatherill , Croydon North East

Order. The hon. Gentleman has asked his question. I just find it difficult to understand.

Photo of Mr John Biffen Mr John Biffen , North Shropshire

I had naturally expected the supplementary question to relate to Scottish business as such, but I appreciate that the hon. Gentleman has raised a point concerning the administration of the Scottish Office and I will, of course, refer it to my right hon. Friend.