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Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 18 October 2012.

Scotland

Question

My Lords, can my noble friend deal with the anxiety about the question? It is now going to be decided by the Scottish Parliament,

which means Alex Salmond in consultation with the Electoral Commission. Would a way of ensuring that the referendum is fairly conducted be to say that the Section 30 order, which transfers the power to the Scottish Parliament, will not be brought before either House of Parliament until Alex Salmond has published his draft Bill setting out the question and the rules for the conduct of the referendum and the franchise?

Answer

My Lords, the Section 30 order will be published next week, and both Houses of Parliament will debate and, it is hoped, pass it in due course. I cannot see that there is any great advantage in seeing Mr Salmond’s Bill before we pass the Section 30 order. After all, it can be amended in the Scottish Parliament. However, we understand that we will get the publication of the Scottish Government’s consultation, which will include their view of what the question should be, and that should be available in the next few weeks.

Secondary information

Type
Oral question
Reference
739 c1558 
Session
2012-13
Oral question type
Supplementary
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Scotland Sovereignty
Link
View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk