Scotsman Archive

ALL that the government has produced in response to the Scottish demands for devolution is a committee which will investigate the practicability of making a reliable return of the revenue from, and government expenditure in, Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom, and the balances of revenue available for "general expenditure". This modest and slightly mysterious decision was intimated to the Commons by Mr Hector McNeil, Secretary of State. From the Socialist benches, efforts were made to proclaim the party's satisfaction with the step and that it was a logical consequence of Socialist policy. But from the Conservatives (led vigorously by Mr Churchill), the Scottish Unionists and the Liberals came a barrage of criticism which the Scottish Secretary found hard to face. Disappointment was evident and Mr Churchill got no positive answer to his question as to why a Royal Commission had not been appointed.

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