APPENDIX 27
Letter from Mr Stan Smith to the Clerk
of the Procedure Committee
I understand you looking into the relationship
of Westminster and the new Parliaments/Assemblies (see cutting
from Daily Telegraph).[5]
I am enclosing copies of letters, which have
appeared in local newspapers on these issues for information.
There is no question that the setting up of
the Scottish Parliament in particular, will unbalance the constitution
of the United Kingdom. It is a matter of concern in the North
East, perhaps because we are so close to Scotland.
Up to now that Scotland had more MPs than it
was entitled to was a matter of indifference, most people were
not aware of it. That they seemed to have an advantage over us
in attracting inward investment and getting special advantages
was not a matter of great concern. Many people took the view that
Scotland had high unemployment, it had old industries in particular
shipping and mining, both very unattractive industries to work
in as we in the North East well know. This has now all changed,
it could be said that with the setting up of the Scottish Parliament
we have crossed the Rubicon.
Certainly the number of Scottish MP's should
be reduced, because there will be so little Scottish business
at Westminster they should be reduced below 58. I understand that
when there was a Northern Ireland Parliament the number of Irish
Westminster MP's was reduced in relation to the population in
Northern Ireland. If this were so it would certainly set a precedent
for reduction of the Scottish MP's. I see no reason why this reduction
should not take place now, for implementation for the next General
Election.
4 March 1999
5 Not printed. Back
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