THE REAL QUESTION IN SCOTLAND
[To the Edihr of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR, —In your issue of August 24th you commented in the News of the Week notes on the recently issued Report of the deputation sent by the Scottish National Party to examine the working of self-government in Ulster, the Irish Free State and the Isle of Man. " The real question," you remark, " is whether the majority of Scotsmen do in fact want anything like the degree of Home Rule which the S.N.P. advocates."
Surely, Sir, the real question at present is whether the proved and admitted advantages of selk-government in Ulster, the I.F.S. and the Isle of Man would accrue equally to Scotland were she to rule herself in purely Scottish affairs. Very few Scotsmen as yet realize the true position in these other States, partly because it has not yet been in the interests of the predominant political parties (i.e., Unionist and Labour) in Scotland to deal with the issue ; but when the facts are driven home, as they will be, then surely will the " real question " be " whether the majority of Scotsmen want anything like the degree of Home Rule which the S.N.P. advocates.”
It should be emphasized that the Report referred to is not in the ordinary sense a political pamphlet, but a reference document compiled with the willing co-operation of Ministers and Officials of the Governments of Ulster, the I.F.S. and the Isle of Man ; the facts contained therein are therefore authoritative. The comparative figures for Scotland are drawn from the main headings of the famous White Paper issued by the British Treasury giving the financial position of Scotland for the year 1931-32.—I am, yours faithfully.
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