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Proceeding contribution from Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Conservative) in the House of Lords on Thursday, 15 March 2012. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Scotland Bill.


Scotland Bill

I am most grateful to my noble and learned friend. Of course I understand that there is an opportunity in the courts for outside parties to apply for a judicial review or to challenge Ministers who were acting ultra vires. In the context of a referendum being held illegally by the Scottish Parliament, that would be completely disastrous, especially as it would disrupt the whole process and would make it difficult for us to get a resolution on this question one way or the other. Part of me—perhaps the cynical, less charitable part—thinks that the First Minister would not be particularly disappointed by such an outcome because it would avoid the inevitable result which I believe the Scottish people, with their good sense, will give in a referendum. I understand that. My question really related to whether the Members of the Scottish Parliament who had voted for this or the Ministers who had done it would be subject to any sanction. Is there any process for this? How would it operate?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
736 c549 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Criminal proceedings Devolved matters Armed forces Aviation Devolution Civil service Air passenger duty Borrowing Aggregates levy Land EU law Income tax Legislative competence Excise duties Landfill Legislation Domicil Large goods vehicle drivers Ministerial powers Powers Members Public expenditure Ministers Public finance Scotland Social security benefits Scottish Parliament Taxation Tax rates and bands Supreme Court Self-employed Development land tax Universal credit Legislative consent motions
Legislation
Scotland Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk