asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can now announce the names and terms of reference of the committee he proposes to set up for the purpose of inquiring whether it is possible to inquire into the financial and other relations between Scotland and England.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now announce the names of those who are to serve on the committee of inquiry into Scottish-United Kingdom affairs.

My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.

I must again ask the hon. Lady what "shortly" means. The matter has been on the tapis for some time.

Are we entitled to presume that the committee will be formed before the Summer Recess?

I should hope so. Indeed, I am almost certain that it will be formed before the Summer Recess.

May we have an assurance that the committee will not consist of those who are notoriously biased on this subject?

I can give the hon. and gallant Gentleman that assurance.