Statement on Scotland's constitutional future
11 January 2012
Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore, made a statement in the House of Commons on Tuesday 10 January on Scotland's constitutional future.
Scottish independence referendum
The Scottish Secretary announced the publication of a consultation paper on Scotland's Constitutional Future. The paper sets out different ways to deliver a legal, fair and decisive referendum on Scotland's position within the United Kingdom. The paper also invites views on devolving powers for a referendum to the Scottish Parliament and seeks opinions on the possibility of running the referendum directly.
The deadline for responses to the consultation is Friday 9 March 2012. Further background information as well how to respond to the consultation can be found in the consultation paper and on the Scotland Office website.
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, Margaret Curran, responded to the statement on behalf of the Opposition.
Watch and read the statement and the views expressed by MPs on Parliament TV and in Commons Hansard. Also find parliamentary material on the Scottish Parliament in the Topics and News sections.
- Parliament TV: Statement on Scotland's constitutional future
- Commons Hansard: Statement on Scotland's constitutional future
- Topics: Scottish Parliament
- News: Scottish Parliament
Scotland Bill
The Scotland Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 30 November 2010 and is currently awaiting committee stage in the House of Lords. The Bill will implement recommendations of the Final Report of the Commission on Scottish Devolution (the Calman Commission).
It would make changes to the finances of the Scottish Parliament, including a new Scottish rate of income tax, and make a number of adjustments to the boundary of devolved responsibilities.
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation on the Scotland Bill and find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
Oral statements
Oral statements are made after Question Time (or at 11am on a Friday). Statements normally relate to matters of policy or government actions. At the end of a statement, MPs can respond or question the government minister on its contents.