From the archives: Liberal leaders and Scottish Home Rule

Any fear that devolution for Scotland and Wales would lead to a weakening of the constitution was discounted last night by Mr Clement Davies, MP, leader of the Liberal Parliamentary Party, when he brought cheers from a crowded meeting in the Central Hall, Edinburgh, by a statement that it was about time that Scotland had charge of her own affairs. Why, asked Mr Davies, should what had been given to the North of Ireland be denied to Scotland and Wales? He believed that both peoples had more to do with strengthening the constitution of the Empire than all the rest of them south of the Tweed. By devolution they would strengthen the position of Britain, strengthen democracy, and make democratic government more effective. Explaining how Parliament was overworked, he pointed out that great measures were rushed through without proper debate or discussion.

• archive.scotsman.com