Scotsman Archive: Dangers of too much devolution 20 February, 1960

Speaking at Alloa yesterday, Mr Arthur Woodburn, Secretary of State for Scotland and Labour candidate for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire, declared that he had never at any time made a declaration against Scotland having the maximum of devolution.

"The first thing I did when I became Secretary of State for Scotland ," said Mr Woodburn, "was to tackle this question. The first thing I was faced with was the danger if we went too far ahead we would lose our influence in the British Parliament. I always felt I had to be careful in taking any step towards devolution that I did not bring danger to Scotland's prosperity."

Speaking in support, Mr Tom Johnston, a former Secretary of State for Scotland, added that there were aspects of their administration which many people disagreed with but what was beyond all doubt was that for the first time we had had a government that had stuck honourably to its promises.

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