SNP respond to Calman proposals

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2009-11-25

SNP Constitutional Affairs Spokesperson, Pete Wishart MP, condemned the UK Government over its cynical proposals to delay taking forward the recommendations of the Calman Commission.

The UK Government today laid out proposals to transfer limited tax raising and borrowing powers to the Scottish Parliament as well as control over airguns and drink driving and speeding limits – but only in the next UK Parliament.

Commenting on the UK Government’s delay in transferring powers over speed limits, drink driving and air guns, Mr Wishart said:

"We have agreement today, why do we not have action today? This delay is a deeply cynical and irresponsible move by the UK Government – putting lives at risk for political advantage.

"There is absolutely nothing standing in the way of the UK Government handing over powers where consensus exists in order to improve the governance of Scotland. Indeed, Kenneth Calman himself said they could be implemented ‘quickly and easily’ without fuss.

"The Scottish Government has made clear it is ready to legislate where agreement exists – and has now laid out a timetable for doing so. It is the UK Labour Government which is stalling progress."

Commenting on the UK Government’s proposals to transfer certain tax raising and borrowing powers, Mr Wishart added:

"The Calman Commission’s own experts have described these flawed tax proposals as ‘worse than undesirable, they are unworkable’.

"The SNP Government is seeking full fiscal autonomy and with that full responsibility for Scotland’s finances. Anything less risks being a messy fudge which will damage the Scottish economy in the long term."

Scottish Government Constitution Minister Michael Russell published a letter from the First Minister to the Prime Minister, which sets out a detailed timetable for the early implementation of those proposals where there is a consensus for change.

Mr Russell said:

"The Scottish Government drafted Orders over the summer to give effect to the relevant recommendations where we all agree that change is needed. We have done our bit, and in the interests of public safety in Scotland we call on the UK Government to do theirs - and do it now.

"The First Minister has written to the Prime Minister proposing that these Orders be considered at a Privy Council meeting as soon as possible, paving the way for legislative change early next year.

"To allow the Orders to be considered at the Privy Council meeting on February 10, papers would need to be sent to the Privy Council by February 3. Affirmations in both Parliaments would therefore be required no later than February 3. Taking relevant recess periods into consideration, the Orders would need to be laid at Holyrood no later than December 8, and at Westminster no later than December 4. This is a tight but entirely achievable timetable.

"So we have given the Prime Minister a workable timetable for transferring these responsibilities to Holyrood, and I hope that he responds positively to our proposal. There is no possible reason why the people of Scotland need wait for these important and necessary changes. If they are the right thing to do - and we all agree that they are - we should be delivering them as quickly as possible, not kicking them into the Westminster long grass."

 

Notes:

1. Professor Andrew Hughes Hallet describes Calman tax proposals as ‘worse than undesirable’: http://news.scotsman.com/topstories/Calman-panel-member-warns-of.5386447...

2. In June 2009, the SNP Scottish Government published draft legislative orders to transfer responsibility to Holyrood from Westminster for the control of air weapons, drink-drive and speeding limits, administration of Scottish Parliament elections, and controlled substances in relation to the treatment of addiction – as recommended by the Calman Commission report.

3. Sir Kenneth Calman himself said of his report: "I think there are lots of bits, as I mentioned, which I think can be implemented quickly and easily without too much fuss, others will take a bit of time to think through" (BBC Newsnight Scotland, 15 June 2009).