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The subjects of Scottish Home Rule and of a commission of enquiry are bound to be widely canvassed at the forthcoming General Election; and, while our M.Ps. have agreed to concentrate on the inter-party issues, I must report that in some cases I have persuaded them against their will and that some are genuinely apprehensive of this campaign. On the other hand, I anticipate that, with the Conservative declaration, the Press in Scotland will moderate their "plugging" of devolution.
Subject to the views of my colleagues, my intention is to stand on the line I have indicated in paragraphs 4 and 5 of this paper.
9.
These campaigns obtain their success because interest in the subject in Scotland is always present, widespread and sincere. It is accordingly essential that every support should be given to the great body of reasonable opinion in Scotland which does not support drastic changes but which is liable to be shaken by any action which can be represented as imposing on Scotland decisions in the making of which she appears to have had no real voice, or as being designed primarily to meet conditions south of the Border. I hope my colleagues will keep this danger in mind and be vigilant when they are dealing with matters affecting · Scotland. I think it is also true to say that there have been occasions on which decisions concerning Scotland, which could not be questioned on merits, have been announced in a way which made it possible to misrepresent them. My own Department have a good deal of experience of the problem of presenting things to public opinion in Scotland in the best light; and they will, of course, be very ready to co-operate at any time in regard to the timing and form of announcements of Scottish interest.
Scottish Office, S.W.1.,
12th December, 1949.
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