asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what are now his proposals for amending the law of Scotland in relation to the age of majority.

I have given very careful consideration, in consultation with the Lord Advocate, to the views which have been expressed to me on this question and I have decided that, notwithstanding the benefits enjoyed by minors in Scotland under the existing law, there is a strong case, on broad social grounds, for lowering the age of majority to 18.As indicated in the Gracious Speech, the Government intend to introduce legislation on this subject this Session, and I hope to bring before the House in due course a Bill which will amend the law of Scotland to the extent of substituting 18 for 21 as the age at which a person ceases to be a minor.