To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had on Tier 2 visas with ministerial colleagues in the devolved Administrations responsible for higher education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had on Tier 2 visas with ministerial colleagues in the devolved Administrations responsible for higher education.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made in inter-governmental talks with the Welsh government on funding reform.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made in inter-governmental talks with the Welsh government on funding reform.

I add my support for the Lords amendment. It makes sense. We have to realise that drivers of all kinds cope with different speed limits, even within one county. This Bill has had a long journey, but there has also been a long journey for those of us who, like...

I add my support for the Lords amendment. It makes sense. We have to realise that drivers of all kinds cope with different speed limits, even within one county. This Bill has had a long journey, but there has also been a long journey for those of us who, like...

I am very happy to support this group of Lords amendments and, indeed, the provisions in the Bill. I must confess that this is an issue on which I have changed my mind. On Second Reading, I had concerns about creating different speed limits north and south of the border....

I am very happy to support this group of Lords amendments and, indeed, the provisions in the Bill. I must confess that this is an issue on which I have changed my mind. On Second Reading, I had concerns about creating different speed limits north and south of the border....

Lords amendments 12 to 16 would amend clauses 25 and 26 to devolve completely to the Scottish Parliament all aspects in relation to speed limits on all roads in Scotland. They follow the recommendation of the Calman commission and resolve the ambiguities and uncertainties that might have ensued from a...

Lords amendments 12 to 16 would amend clauses 25 and 26 to devolve completely to the Scottish Parliament all aspects in relation to speed limits on all roads in Scotland. They follow the recommendation of the Calman commission and resolve the ambiguities and uncertainties that might have ensued from a...

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the Barnett consequentials for Scotland for financial years (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 arising from the decision to devolve council tax benefit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the Barnett consequentials for Scotland for financial years (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 arising from the decision to devolve council tax benefit.

Scotland Bill. Consideration of Lords amendments. Lords amendments agreed to.

Scotland Bill. Consideration of Lords amendments. Lords amendments agreed to.

There has been much debate about the role of the Lord Advocate and the Supreme Court in Scottish criminal proceedings. That debate has come a long way, and there is now agreement that the Supreme Court should have a role in relation to the European convention on human rights and...

There has been much debate about the role of the Lord Advocate and the Supreme Court in Scottish criminal proceedings. That debate has come a long way, and there is now agreement that the Supreme Court should have a role in relation to the European convention on human rights and...

I welcome that part of the group, but will the Minister make it absolutely clear—I believe he is just about to do so—that what we are seeing with these changes is an ending of the Supreme Court's ability to substitute its decision for that of the High Court?

I welcome that part of the group, but will the Minister make it absolutely clear—I believe he is just about to do so—that what we are seeing with these changes is an ending of the Supreme Court's ability to substitute its decision for that of the High Court?

I absolutely agree with my right hon. and learned Friend. The remarks made by the First Minister about members of the Supreme Court were beneath him; they demeaned his office and were wholly inappropriate.

I absolutely agree with my right hon. and learned Friend. The remarks made by the First Minister about members of the Supreme Court were beneath him; they demeaned his office and were wholly inappropriate.

Just for clarification, were the First Minister's comments successful, in that his criticisms resulted in these amendments? If so, we would obviously take note of that. If not, that deserves to be spelt out.

Just for clarification, were the First Minister's comments successful, in that his criticisms resulted in these amendments? If so, we would obviously take note of that. If not, that deserves to be spelt out.

On this occasion, I am able to welcome the hon. Gentleman's welcome. The provisions in the Bill, if these amendments are approved, will mean exactly that: the Supreme Court will not be able to substitute its own judgment for that of the High Court.

On this occasion, I am able to welcome the hon. Gentleman's welcome. The provisions in the Bill, if these amendments are approved, will mean exactly that: the Supreme Court will not be able to substitute its own judgment for that of the High Court.

Many of us in the House would wish to associate ourselves with the very generous and entirely appropriate remarks that the Minister made about Paul McBride. May I put it to the Minister that these amendments are an entirely effective antidote to the ill judged and ill informed comments made...

Many of us in the House would wish to associate ourselves with the very generous and entirely appropriate remarks that the Minister made about Paul McBride. May I put it to the Minister that these amendments are an entirely effective antidote to the ill judged and ill informed comments made...

No. The changes being introduced today are a result of a process that was instigated by the Advocate-General for Scotland.

No. The changes being introduced today are a result of a process that was instigated by the Advocate-General for Scotland.

I am happy to make it clear to the hon. Gentleman that views expressed by the First Minister about the Supreme Court played no part in these amendments or the completion of the Scotland Bill. Indeed, in dialogue involving the Scottish Government and Lord Advocate a much more moderate and...

I am happy to make it clear to the hon. Gentleman that views expressed by the First Minister about the Supreme Court played no part in these amendments or the completion of the Scotland Bill. Indeed, in dialogue involving the Scottish Government and Lord Advocate a much more moderate and...

Leaving aside the vehemence of the language used by the First Minister, was the substance of his comments the cause of the changes being introduced?

Leaving aside the vehemence of the language used by the First Minister, was the substance of his comments the cause of the changes being introduced?

First, let me associate the official Opposition with the Minister's remarks about Paul McBride. I also thank the right hon. and learned Member for North East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell) for reminding the House of the importance of the Supreme Court in ensuring that institutions of government are exercised in...

First, let me associate the official Opposition with the Minister's remarks about Paul McBride. I also thank the right hon. and learned Member for North East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell) for reminding the House of the importance of the Supreme Court in ensuring that institutions of government are exercised in...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving way, as I deduced that he was about to conclude. Is it not important to remember that the case of Cadder raised the issue of the right to legal representation and advice for someone in police custody, and that the case...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving way, as I deduced that he was about to conclude. Is it not important to remember that the case of Cadder raised the issue of the right to legal representation and advice for someone in police custody, and that the case...

I entirely agree with the right hon. and learned Gentleman. One of the strengths of the devolution settlement is that it allows a court of the seniority of the Supreme Court to make these determinations. It would have been wholly irresponsible to remove these basic protections from people in criminal...

I entirely agree with the right hon. and learned Gentleman. One of the strengths of the devolution settlement is that it allows a court of the seniority of the Supreme Court to make these determinations. It would have been wholly irresponsible to remove these basic protections from people in criminal...

I beg to move, That this House agrees with Lords amendment 12.

I beg to move, That this House agrees with Lords amendment 12.