Committee to Examine Negotiations on Separation
14 January 2014
The Committee is exploring several subjects to help the people of Scotland make an informed choice in the forthcoming referendum on separation on 18th September 2014
- Parliament TV: The Referendum on Separation for Scotland
- Inquiry: Referendum on Separation for Scotland
- Scottish Affairs Committee
The purpose of this evidence session is to discuss the negotiations that would take place between Scotland, the rest of the United Kingdom and international organisations such as the EU and NATO, should Scotland vote for separation on 18 September 2014.
Topics will include the process of the negotiations (who will be involved in the negotiations and the timescale for them), what the key issues might be and what legislation might be required.
Witnesses
Wednesday 15 January at 2.30pm in Committee Room 8, Palace of Westminster
- Professor Iain McLean, Professor of Politics, Official Fellow, Nuffield College, University of Oxford
- Professor Adam Tomkins, John Millar Chair of Public Law, University of Glasgow
- Professor Kenneth Armstrong, Professor of European Law, University of Cambridge
Ian Davidson MP, Chair of the Committee, said;
"We have previously expressed our concern that the Scottish Government has shown a propensity to mislead Scottish voters on the likely outcomes of the negotiations that will be needed for any final Separation agreement.
Many important questions – like EU membership, the currency and the security of the nation - have to be negotiated with the UK Government or international players like the EU and Nato.
Scots must not go into the referendum with the assumption that the SNP will get whatever they want – or have promised. The Scottish people must be informed of all the alternative schemes , of Plans A, B and C - that might actually emerge from these negotiations, and their possible consequences.
Above all the timetable for any Separation must be made clear"