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Devolution body publishes report Full Scots fiscal power ruled out
(about 2 hours later)
The body reviewing the workings of Scottish devolution is expected to set out the common themes of the Union when it publishes its first report later. Moves to hand full financial powers to Scotland have been ruled out by the body considering reforms to devolution.
The Calman Commission was set up in March to look at how things have changed since Scotland voted in favour of creating its own parliament in 1998. The Calman Commmission said devolving full fiscal autonomy would be inconsistent with the United Kingdom.
It is thought the report will say devolution is working well, but no firm conclusions are expected at this stage. The finding came as the commission, set up by Scotland's opposition parties, delivered its interim report.
The commission is due to publish its final report in early 2009. Its chair, Sir Kenneth Calman, also dismissed criticism that the report drew no detailed conclusions, saying it had been a serious piece of work.
Commission chairman Sir Kenneth Calman has heard evidence from north and south of the border on the experience of Scottish devolution. The Calman Commission, due to publish its final findings in 2009, was set up in March to look at how things have changed since devolution in 1999.
It's not about the status quo, it's about where we can take devolution based on the evidence that we've got Sir Kenneth CalmanCalman Commission It is considering issues such as finance, firearms and broadcasting.It's not about the status quo, it's about where we can take devolution based on the evidence that we've got Sir Kenneth CalmanCalman Commission It is considering issues such as finance, firearms and broadcasting.
His team is expected to report that there are matters which might conflict with Westminster, such as transport, the marine environment and health and safety.
It is expected the commission will call for further scrutiny of these areas, while highlighting common themes such as the independence of the judiciary.
Sir Kenneth told BBC Scotland: "It's not about the status quo, it's about where we can take devolution based on the evidence that we've got and we've had a great deal of evidence which we've brought in which I think will show you new directions.Sir Kenneth told BBC Scotland: "It's not about the status quo, it's about where we can take devolution based on the evidence that we've got and we've had a great deal of evidence which we've brought in which I think will show you new directions.
"Devolution certainly is working and indeed that's one of the strongest things that's come through in all of the evidence that we've received.""Devolution certainly is working and indeed that's one of the strongest things that's come through in all of the evidence that we've received."
He said there were no firm conclusions or recommendations but that many of the areas would be looked at in the second phase of the commission's work.He said there were no firm conclusions or recommendations but that many of the areas would be looked at in the second phase of the commission's work.
Evidence sessionsEvidence sessions
The commission was established with the support of the pro-unionist Labour and Tory parties and the federalist Lib Dems. The commission met for the first time at Holyrood in April, with former deputy first minister Jim Wallace and former Lord Advocate Lord Boyd among its members.
It met for the first time at Holyrood in April, with former deputy first minister Jim Wallace and former Lord Advocate Lord Boyd among its members.
It has held a series of evidence sessions throughout the year, with former first minister Jack McConnell calling for a new system of resolving wrangles between Edinburgh and London when he appeared in October.It has held a series of evidence sessions throughout the year, with former first minister Jack McConnell calling for a new system of resolving wrangles between Edinburgh and London when he appeared in October.
Other members of the 15-strong commission include former Tory Scottish Office Minister Lord James Douglas Hamilton, Labour peer Lord Elder, Iain McMillan of CBI Scotland and Mona Siddiqui, professor of Islamic studies at Glasgow University.Other members of the 15-strong commission include former Tory Scottish Office Minister Lord James Douglas Hamilton, Labour peer Lord Elder, Iain McMillan of CBI Scotland and Mona Siddiqui, professor of Islamic studies at Glasgow University.
The SNP is holding its own consultation into the constitutional future, entitled the National Conversation.The SNP is holding its own consultation into the constitutional future, entitled the National Conversation.