Whether he has plans to mark the 300th anniversary of the Union of Parliaments.

Officials are liaising with other Departments and the Scottish Executive on appropriate ways to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Union of the Parliaments.

I am glad to hear that, because the Act of Union with England and its counterpart marked not just the establishment of one Parliament, but the foundation of Great Britain. Although some Members may have different assessments of the success of that Union and of its future, surely no one would dispute its historical significance. It would be bizarre if we did not mark that and consider the historical significance and future of that Union in the same way that other states mark dates of such significance in their history. Will my hon. Friend consider how we can extensively recognise the successes and achievements of those 300 years and the challenges that face us in the future?

I agree entirely with my hon. Friend. It is a significant historical event, whatever people's individual views of its merits, or otherwise. It is far too early to be able to put forward any definitive plans, but discussions are ongoing. As well as looking at the tremendous success of the UK over 300 years on the anniversary, I hope that we will be able to look to the future and Scotland's role in the Union in the 21st century—in a globalised economy with the threats of the fast-developing world—so that we can think about not only our historically tremendously successful country, but a confident nation that is looking forward to a confident future and the next 300 years of the Union.

Does the Minister agree that the celebrations of the Union of the Crowns in 2003 were somewhat disappointing and missed out on a lot of the tourist potential that could have arisen in constituencies such as mine? Will he ensure that the Act of Union is properly celebrated and that the politically correct brigade will not get their way and downgrade this important event?

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. It is of course important to learn the lessons of what happened on the anniversary of the Union of the Crowns. I am sure that the Act of Union, which was an important historical event, will be marked in an entirely appropriate way.

May I advise the Minister to do what his Department does best—nothing at all? Given that the Scotland Office did not lift a finger—not even a sausage roll—to commemorate this year's 700th anniversary of the death of Scotland's greatest hero, William Wallace, would the population at large not consider it passing strange if the Department started to plan a subsidised booze up and what would obviously be a political party for a parcel of rogues in 1707? Given that half the population does not agree with it and another half does not want to pay for it, will the Minister assure us that he will do what he does best—nothing at all?

I thought that the hon. Gentleman was going to suggest combining the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union with the 300th anniversary of the SNP winning a By-election—[Interruption.] I am informed that it is not actually that long; it just feels like it.

If the hon. Gentleman wants to talk about the best political way of celebrating the event, which is in May 2007, it would be for the voters of Scotland to consign to the dustbin of history once and for all the narrow nationalism and separatism that would hold Scotland back, as opposed to the strength of the Union that has done Scotland tremendously well over 300 years.