Highlands and Islands

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 15 May 1991.

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Photo of Lord James Douglas-Hamilton Lord James Douglas-Hamilton , Edinburgh West 12:00, 15 May 1991

The decision that was announced was a quasi-judicial one. There was no prospect of the Secretary of State's issuing it before he was ready. In fact, it was not ready at that time. Of course, the accepted forms laid down in statute have to be followed. Effectively, that was done. We shall go into this matter very thoroughly in the debate tomorrow night. I shall expect to see the hon. Member present, and I shall answer fully all the points that he has raised. What I said in this House was totally consistent with the decision that was later announced.