---

Scotland's Constitutional Future

Secondary information

Type

Parliamentary proceeding

Reference

538 c51-72 

Session

2010-12

Department

Scotland Office

Chamber / Committee

House of Commons chamber

Proceeding contributions

Mike Weir | 538 c68 (Link to this contribution) In answer to an earlier question, the Secretary of State again went on about the uncertainty caused ...

Speaker | 538 c68 (Link to this contribution) Order. The statement has been going on a long time already and Members still wish to speak. The hon....

Show all contributions (124)

Michael Moore | 538 c67 (Link to this contribution) Over the coming weeks we will have many different ways of contributing to the debate, whether we are...

Michael Moore | 538 c67 (Link to this contribution) Yes.

Michael Moore | 538 c68 (Link to this contribution) As I have said a few times this afternoon and many times elsewhere, it is a real curiosity for a par...

Iain McKenzie | 538 c67-8 (Link to this contribution) It will come as no surprise that I welcome and agree with the Secretary of State's desire to hold a ...

Michael Moore | 538 c68 (Link to this contribution) I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend.

Jeremy Lefroy | 538 c68 (Link to this contribution) Does my right hon. Friend agree that a referendum should not involve a sterile discussion of costs a...

Michael Moore | 538 c68 (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman needs to pay attention to people at the CBI and others and recognise that it is s...

Jim McGovern | 538 c69 (Link to this contribution) Further to an earlier question about the manifesto, is the Secretary of State aware that nowhere in ...

Michael Moore | 538 c69 (Link to this contribution) I hope that the Scottish National party will engage with this. I am pretty sure that it will because...

Mary MacLeod | 538 c69 (Link to this contribution) I welcome the statement and congratulate the Government on their leadership on this important matter...

Michael Moore | 538 c69 (Link to this contribution) I want that referendum to take place sooner rather than later. We are offering to fix a problem that...

Graeme Morrice | 538 c69 (Link to this contribution) I welcome the Secretary of State's statement. Could he therefore confirm that if the UK Government d...

Michael Moore | 538 c68-9 (Link to this contribution) There have been a number of months where the prospect of two questions has been bandied around, alth...

Jo Swinson | 538 c68 (Link to this contribution) The SNP at Holyrood has a political mandate to hold a referendum on independence, so I welcome my ri...

Baroness Clark of Kilwinning | 538 c70 (Link to this contribution) The Secretary of State will be aware that the SNP is putting a significant amount of effort into fun...

Michael Moore | 538 c69-70 (Link to this contribution) My hon. Friend has put her finger right at the heart of the issue. There is no distinction in the le...

Russell Brown | 538 c70 (Link to this contribution) My hon. Friend the Member for Dundee West (Jim McGovern) is exactly right. The SNP manifesto last ye...

Michael Moore | 538 c70 (Link to this contribution) I am absolutely committed to Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom. When we can get on to th...

Angus Brendan MacNeil | 538 c71 (Link to this contribution) The Secretary of State has made a big issue of a point of law, but in June last year, Professor Step...

Michael Moore | 538 c71 (Link to this contribution) I am not going to speculate on the election results in May, but I agree that we should get a clear b...

Philip Hollobone | 538 c70 (Link to this contribution) My constituents in Kettering deserve a say on the future make-up of the United Kingdom just as much ...

Michael Moore | 538 c70 (Link to this contribution) The hon. Lady gets to the heart of the issue about how we would conduct the referendum when it takes...

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown | 538 c70 (Link to this contribution) I welcome the Secretary of State's statement. Can he assure me that this Government will be robust i...

Michael Moore | 538 c70 (Link to this contribution) If I may say so, I regret the slightly discordant tone of my hon. Friend's observation. I have answe...

Ann McKechin | 538 c56-7 (Link to this contribution) There has already been a great deal of noise as a result of this afternoon's statement, but it is ve...

Bernard Jenkin | 538 c56 (Link to this contribution) I welcome my right hon. Friend's statement, simply because it is high time that the debate about Sco...

Michael Moore | 538 c56 (Link to this contribution) It is important that we have a legal referendum that is conducted fairly, and that is decisive. I wo...

Angus Robertson | 538 c55 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the Secretary of State for his timeous sharing of the statement in advance of his m...

Michael Moore | 538 c56 (Link to this contribution) I do not know how often I have to acknowledge the SNP's victory of last year before the hon. Gentlem...

Lord Campbell of Pittenweem | 538 c55 (Link to this contribution) I am well aware of the convention that Governments do not publish legal advice, but, as my right hon...

Michael Moore | 538 c55 (Link to this contribution) My right hon. and learned Friend makes an important point: over the past few months they have been s...

Jack Straw | 538 c54-5 (Link to this contribution) May I pick up on the important point made by the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr Redwood)? Durin...

Michael Moore | 538 c55 (Link to this contribution) The currency question will, of course, also be an issue in the referendum debate. The right hon. Gen...

Michael Moore | 538 c54 (Link to this contribution) The right hon. Gentleman asks an important question. I am sure that it is one of many that will be a...

Michael Moore | 538 c51-2 (Link to this contribution) With permission, Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a statement on Scotland's constitutional future i...

Baroness Curran | 538 c52-3 (Link to this contribution) I thank the Secretary of State for sight of the statement before its announcement this afternoon. As...

Michael Moore | 538 c53-4 (Link to this contribution) I entirely agree with what the hon. Lady has just said about the need for us get on with the debate,...

Lord Redwood | 538 c54 (Link to this contribution) What do the Government propose should happen to the shared debts and the shared membership of the Eu...

William Cash | 538 c60 (Link to this contribution) Given that Scotland is in the European Union by virtue of a United Kingdom treaty as implemented by ...

Michael Moore | 538 c60 (Link to this contribution) Until almost to the end of that question, I thought that for once I might be in agreement with my ho...

Anne McGuire | 538 c59 (Link to this contribution) Over the past 30 or so years, the one constant in constitutional development in Scotland has been th...

Michael Moore | 538 c59-60 (Link to this contribution) The right hon. Lady makes an important point. In all the discussions over many decades about enhanci...

Brian H Donohoe | 538 c60 (Link to this contribution) I seek an assurance from the Secretary of State regarding the uncertainties that arise by virtue of ...

Michael Moore | 538 c58 (Link to this contribution) My hon. Friend expresses her disappointment in her usual characteristic style. I, too, hope that the...

Mark Menzies | 538 c59 (Link to this contribution) As the Secretary of State will no doubt be aware, a number of respected economic institutions, inclu...

Michael Moore | 538 c59 (Link to this contribution) I might put it slightly differently. I have already suggested to the First Minister—and I intend to ...

Pete Wishart | 538 c59 (Link to this contribution) Will the Secretary of State please pass on our most sincere and deepest gratitude to his right hon. ...

Michael Moore | 538 c59 (Link to this contribution) There was me hoping that the new year would bring a generous new spirit from the hon. Gentleman but,...

Michael Moore | 538 c57 (Link to this contribution) I absolutely agree that there is a legitimate debate to be had about the powers that Scotland has wi...

Lord Bruce of Bennachie | 538 c58 (Link to this contribution) Further to that point, does my right hon. Friend accept that the dynamic of transferring power from ...

Michael Moore | 538 c58 (Link to this contribution) I absolutely agree with my right hon. Friend. Various suggestions about ““devo max”” have been throw...

Lord Sarwar | 538 c58 (Link to this contribution) I broadly welcome the Secretary of State's statement. Clearly the SNP won a mandate for a referendum...

Michael Moore | 538 c58 (Link to this contribution) First, may I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his new role within the Scottish Labour party? I am ...

Baroness Laing of Elderslie | 538 c58 (Link to this contribution) Given the astounding arrogance of the SNP in refusing to acknowledge that the Scottish Government si...

Michael Moore | 538 c57 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her welcome for this. I absolutely agree that people in Scotland ...

Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton | 538 c57 (Link to this contribution) Given the economic implications of an independent Scotland for my constituents, when will the Englis...

Michael Connarty | 538 c57 (Link to this contribution) May I commend the Secretary of State for the balance with which he has approached this, unlike the l...

Lindsay Roy | 538 c62 (Link to this contribution) What approaches has the Secretary of State made so far to discuss referendum issues with the Scottis...

Michael Moore | 538 c62 (Link to this contribution) We will not restrict this consultation to people who consider themselves Scots. Wherever they might ...

Louise Mensch | 538 c62 (Link to this contribution) Corby is the fastest-growing town in England and it boasts one of the largest concentrations of peop...

Michael Moore | 538 c62 (Link to this contribution) A colleague says from a sedentary position that that is a toxic question. The hon. Gentleman raises ...

Jamie Reed | 538 c62 (Link to this contribution) Deciding about independence is, of course, the sovereign right of the Scottish people and has conseq...

Michael Moore | 538 c62 (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman invites me to consider a hypothetical question, which I do not believe will be th...

Julian Lewis | 538 c62 (Link to this contribution) I knew that would be the case. Does the Secretary of State believe that there is any danger of the S...

Michael Moore | 538 c63 (Link to this contribution) I think everybody in Scotland, whatever their temperament, will be welcomed to be part of the consul...

Viscount Thurso | 538 c63 (Link to this contribution) My right hon. Friend and a number of other hon. Members have referred to the uncertainty, particular...

Michael Moore | 538 c62-3 (Link to this contribution) As I mentioned, I spoke to the First Minister earlier this afternoon, and I hope we will be able to ...

Ian Lucas | 538 c61 (Link to this contribution) Is it the UK Government's position that the referendum should take place within 18 months of today?

Michael Moore | 538 c60 (Link to this contribution) I do not know how many questions the Secretary of State for Transport took on High Speed 2, but that...

Alan Reid | 538 c61 (Link to this contribution) I welcome the statement. The Electoral Commission is independent and is the only body with the exper...

Michael Moore | 538 c61 (Link to this contribution) No. If the hon. Gentleman looks at the consultation paper, he will see that no date was set in the c...

Anne Main | 538 c60 (Link to this contribution) I am really pleased that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has grasped this particular thistle...

Michael Moore | 538 c60 (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman makes a really important point about his constituency. I am aware that huge decis...

Eilidh Whiteford | 538 c61 (Link to this contribution) The Secretary of State has already responded to a question this afternoon about the eligibility of 1...

Michael Moore | 538 c61 (Link to this contribution) I absolutely agree that it is vital that people can have confidence in the referendum process, that ...

Speaker | 538 c61 (Link to this contribution) Seeking now single supplementary questions of stunning succinctness, my eyes look no further than Dr...

Michael Moore | 538 c61 (Link to this contribution) What we are proposing is the same franchise as was good enough for the First Minister and every MSP ...

Tom Harris | 538 c65 (Link to this contribution) I welcome today's statement. What discussions has the Secretary of State had with Ministers about th...

Michael Moore | 538 c65 (Link to this contribution) My hon. Friend has, of course, represented people in both Scotland and England and he speaks with au...

Ben Wallace | 538 c65 (Link to this contribution) Some 1.9 million Scots voted for Unionist parties in 2010, compared with 480,000 who voted for the S...

Gemma Doyle | 538 c65 (Link to this contribution) The leader of the Scottish Labour party called today for cross-party talks in Scotland on issues inc...

Lord Wharton of Yarm | 538 c65 (Link to this contribution) The Secretary of State has indicated that he believes that only those who are on the electoral regis...

Michael Moore | 538 c65 (Link to this contribution) Nobody here intends to be heavy-handed or to force anything. What we want to do is find agreement th...

Michael Moore | 538 c65-6 (Link to this contribution) I am sure the new Scottish Labour leader will be talking to our colleague, Willie Rennie, the leader...

Robert Smith | 538 c66 (Link to this contribution) Surely the clear message today from the statement is to the Scottish Government to engage in the con...

Michael Moore | 538 c66 (Link to this contribution) I entirely agree with my hon. Friend.

Michael Moore | 538 c63 (Link to this contribution) May I, with all due deference to the hon. Gentleman, say that I would not, for very obvious reasons,...

Ian Jnr Paisley | 538 c63 (Link to this contribution) I welcome the forthright and determined approach that the Government are taking to ensure that the m...

James Clappison | 538 c64 (Link to this contribution) Can my right hon. Friend confirm that the UK opt-out from the single currency is an opt-out for the ...

Speaker | 538 c63 (Link to this contribution) Order. I am keen to accommodate the interest of colleagues, as always, but time is pressing and we d...

Cathy Jamieson | 538 c64 (Link to this contribution) There has been a great deal of speculation in advance of this statement about so-called sunset claus...

Bob Stewart | 538 c64 (Link to this contribution) My constituency is in Beckenham in Kent, but I am a Scot, and I am surrounded by Scots. I have got a...

Michael Moore | 538 c64 (Link to this contribution) The hon. Lady makes an important point. We have said in the consultation paper—I have said it many t...

Michael Moore | 538 c64 (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman was right to say the Stewarts have a proud tradition in Scotland, as do many, man...

Speaker | 538 c64 (Link to this contribution) Order. Having heard the question from the hon. Member for Beckenham (Bob Stewart), I am all ears; I ...

Gordon Banks | 538 c64 (Link to this contribution) We have already heard this afternoon about the SNP's preference for 16 and 17-year-olds to be able t...

David Mowat | 538 c67 (Link to this contribution) The Secretary of State will have seen today's press reports which say that apparently, as of this we...

Michael Moore | 538 c67 (Link to this contribution) I hope that on the basis of the early conversation that we have had and the intent on my part that w...

Stewart Hosie | 538 c66 (Link to this contribution) The Scottish Secretary made great play of what he called uncertainty threatening business investment...

Michael Moore | 538 c66-7 (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman is not usually so churlish. He should understand better than almost anyone else, ...

Iain Stewart | 538 c66 (Link to this contribution) During the consideration of the Scotland Act 1998 in this place, the then Scottish Secretary, Donald...

Michael Moore | 538 c66 (Link to this contribution) As ever, my hon. Friend has been assiduous in his homework, for which I commend him. Indeed, the lat...

John Robertson | 538 c66 (Link to this contribution) A good new year to you, Mr Speaker, and to all Members of the House. Fuel poverty is rising, child ...

Michael Moore | 538 c66 (Link to this contribution) I reciprocate the wishes of the hon. Gentleman for a happy new year and hope we may all be in a good...

Michael Moore | 538 c71 (Link to this contribution) I am afraid that for reasons that should now be obvious I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman.

Nia Griffith | 538 c71 (Link to this contribution) The Secretary of State will be aware that in Wales a convention process took place before the refere...

Michael Moore | 538 c71 (Link to this contribution) The consultation is open to everyone in Scotland and across the United Kingdom, and indeed elsewhere...

Chris Bryant | 538 c72 (Link to this contribution) It is not just the euro that an independent Scotland would have to sign up to if it wanted to join t...

Michael Moore | 538 c72 (Link to this contribution) As the Member of Parliament who represents the longest stretch of that border, I hope that we will n...

Speaker | 538 c72 (Link to this contribution) Secretary of State, thank you. Some 57 Back-Bench Members participated in the statement.

Wayne David | 538 c71 (Link to this contribution) I understand that the Scottish First Minister has announced that there will be a referendum in the a...

Michael Moore | 538 c72 (Link to this contribution) I anticipate that the debate over the timing of the referendum will continue for a long time unless ...

Lord Brennan of Canton | 538 c72 (Link to this contribution) More Welsh Members are left until the end, Madam Deputy Speaker. Is not the SNP wrong to say that th...

Michael Moore | 538 c72 (Link to this contribution) It is not a question of whether the referendum is binding, consultative, advisory or whatever other ...

Michael Moore | 538 c57 (Link to this contribution) I have to say to my hon. Friend that it is important that the people of Scotland decide their place ...

Sheila Gilmore | 538 c67 (Link to this contribution) I welcome the commitment from the Secretary of State to the broadest negotiation and widest discussi...

Glyn Davies | 538 c67 (Link to this contribution) Relentless debate in Scotland led by the Scottish Government about Scottish independence causes grea...

Fiona Bruce | 538 c69 (Link to this contribution) Given the references that we have heard in the public debate on this matter to legally binding refer...

Michael Moore | 538 c69 (Link to this contribution) The manifesto was clear. It was about a straightforward question on independence, not about the timi...

Michael Moore | 538 c64-5 (Link to this contribution) The Scottish Parliament can determine all the appropriate arrangements on devolved matters. What I h...

Michael Moore | 538 c65 (Link to this contribution) As I have said on a number of occasions, we are proposing that the franchise should be that which el...

Michael Moore | 538 c64 (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman makes a very important point.

Subjects

Devolution Powers Referendums Scotland Scottish Parliament Self-determination of states Scottish Government

Legislation

Scotland Act 1998

Link

View this Parliamentary proceeding on www.publications.parliament.uk