asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland has in its remit in drawing up new boundaries the power to recommend an increase or decrease in the total number of parliamentary constituencies in Scotland.

The rules to which the Commission's recommendations are required to give effect are set out in the second schedule to the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act 1949. Rule 1 lays down that within a total not substantially greater or less than 613 for Great Britain the number of constituencies in Scotland shall be not less than 71.