A PUBLIC inquiry begins tomorrow into proposals to move 3500 voters

from the constituency of Dumfries into the Galloway and Upper Nithsdale

constituency of Scottish Secretary Ian Lang. Almost 600 people,

including Conservative and Labour supporters, have signed petitions

against the proposals by the Boundary Commission.

The Tories want the status quo, but the Scottish Labour Party has

proposed placing Upper Annandale and Eskdale into a Borders

constituency. This would mean Langholm, the home town of Scottish Office

Minister Sir Hector Monro, being placed outwith his Dumfries

constituency. Sir Hector has described Labour's suggestion as

''ludicrous''.