This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7311840.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Devolution review body launched | Devolution review body launched |
| (1 day later) | |
| Scotland's pro-union political parties have announced details of the commission to re-examine devolution, a decade after it came about. | Scotland's pro-union political parties have announced details of the commission to re-examine devolution, a decade after it came about. |
| Its chairman, academic Sir Kenneth Calman, insisted the body would be independent, despite claims it had been "hijacked" by Downing Street. | Its chairman, academic Sir Kenneth Calman, insisted the body would be independent, despite claims it had been "hijacked" by Downing Street. |
| The commission, to be funded by the Scottish Parliament and UK Government, was voted for by MSPs. | |
| The Scottish Government already has its own constitutional review under way. | The Scottish Government already has its own constitutional review under way. |
| The remit of the new commission was outlined in the Scottish Parliament, at an event attended by Sir Kenneth and the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Holyrood leaders - Wendy Alexander, Annabel Goldie and Nicol Stephen. | The remit of the new commission was outlined in the Scottish Parliament, at an event attended by Sir Kenneth and the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Holyrood leaders - Wendy Alexander, Annabel Goldie and Nicol Stephen. |
| 'Take stock' | 'Take stock' |
| The commission - which will not examine independence - has been given the task with reviewing devolution and recommending changes to enable the Scottish Parliament to better serve the people and "continue to secure the position of Scotland in the United Kingdom". | The commission - which will not examine independence - has been given the task with reviewing devolution and recommending changes to enable the Scottish Parliament to better serve the people and "continue to secure the position of Scotland in the United Kingdom". |
| Sir Kenneth, who described himself as a Scot happily living in the UK, said Scottish devolution had now reached one of its most interesting points. | Sir Kenneth, who described himself as a Scot happily living in the UK, said Scottish devolution had now reached one of its most interesting points. |
| "It is a genuine opportunity to take stock of what the settlement has achieved to date and the challenges it may yet have to address in the years to come." | "It is a genuine opportunity to take stock of what the settlement has achieved to date and the challenges it may yet have to address in the years to come." |
| The Glasgow University chancellor denied Prime Minister Gordon Brown was effectively in charge of the commission, adding: "I would not have accepted this if I felt this was something being driven from elsewhere." | The Glasgow University chancellor denied Prime Minister Gordon Brown was effectively in charge of the commission, adding: "I would not have accepted this if I felt this was something being driven from elsewhere." |
| The announcement also saw a concession from Mr Brown, who referred to the new body as a "commission" rather than a review, as he had previously. | The announcement also saw a concession from Mr Brown, who referred to the new body as a "commission" rather than a review, as he had previously. |
| SIR KENNETH CALMAN - CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Brought up on a west Glasgow housing estate1974 - oncology professor in Glasgow1989 - appointed chief medical officer for Scotland1992 - appointed chief medical officer, UK department of health1998 - appointed chair, World Health Organisation executive boardAuthor of seven books and more than 100 scientific papers | SIR KENNETH CALMAN - CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Brought up on a west Glasgow housing estate1974 - oncology professor in Glasgow1989 - appointed chief medical officer for Scotland1992 - appointed chief medical officer, UK department of health1998 - appointed chair, World Health Organisation executive boardAuthor of seven books and more than 100 scientific papers |
| He added: "Together we are determined to review the provisions of the Scotland Act in the light of 10 years' experience, while securing Scotland's place in the Union." | He added: "Together we are determined to review the provisions of the Scotland Act in the light of 10 years' experience, while securing Scotland's place in the Union." |
| Ms Alexander said it had always been envisaged the cross-party, cross-border commission would be jointly serviced by the Holyrood and the Westminster governments. | Ms Alexander said it had always been envisaged the cross-party, cross-border commission would be jointly serviced by the Holyrood and the Westminster governments. |
| Mr Stephen said: "I believe this will be the commission that will decide the constitutional future of Scotland and will create a stronger Scottish Parliament within a stronger UK." | Mr Stephen said: "I believe this will be the commission that will decide the constitutional future of Scotland and will create a stronger Scottish Parliament within a stronger UK." |
| "Mainstream opinion in Scotland," Miss Goldie added, "wants devolution to work better and for Scotland to be secure in a stronger UK, that is what this body is all about." | "Mainstream opinion in Scotland," Miss Goldie added, "wants devolution to work better and for Scotland to be secure in a stronger UK, that is what this body is all about." |
| The Scottish Parliament's vote for the commission came after the Holyrood government launched its "national conversation", which is examining the case for independence. | |
| A spokesman for First Minister Alex Salmond said the exercise had been "hijacked" by Downing Street and downgraded to a review which would also study taking powers back. | A spokesman for First Minister Alex Salmond said the exercise had been "hijacked" by Downing Street and downgraded to a review which would also study taking powers back. |
| "The review excludes the option of independence, which is extraordinary, and has no clear means of reaching agreement, or allowing the people into the process," he said. | "The review excludes the option of independence, which is extraordinary, and has no clear means of reaching agreement, or allowing the people into the process," he said. |
| The commission will meet for the first time in April and aims to deliver an interim report in November. | The commission will meet for the first time in April and aims to deliver an interim report in November. |