asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is possible to secure, in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 (1) of the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act of 1899, that inquiries held in Scotland in connection with Scottish Provisional Orders shall be held at the nearest centre to the districts affected, so as to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and expense to the parties interested?

The present practice is to ascertain the views of all the parties as to what would be the most convenient place of inquiry, and, in the event of difference of opinion, to submit the matter to the Chairman of the Commissioners, with whom the decision rests. This practice is in accordance with the Section referred to, and I have no reason to believe that it has failed to secure the object desired by my hon. and learned Friend.