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/8103130.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Referendum 'could look at powers' Referendum 'could look at powers'
(about 1 hour later)
The option to increase the Scottish Parliament's powers could be included in an independence referendum, First Minister Alex Salmond has said.The option to increase the Scottish Parliament's powers could be included in an independence referendum, First Minister Alex Salmond has said.
He said there was a willingness to put a question on the issue on the ballot paper, in the wake of the Calman Commission report, on Monday.He said there was a willingness to put a question on the issue on the ballot paper, in the wake of the Calman Commission report, on Monday.
The commission's devolution review said Holyrood should take charge of half the income tax raised in Scotland. The commission's review of devolution said Holyrood should take charge of half the income tax raised in Scotland.
The SNP aims to hold a referendum in 2010, but lacks parliamentary support.The SNP aims to hold a referendum in 2010, but lacks parliamentary support.
The Calman findings outlined a range of powers which it recommended should be handed from Westminster to Holyrood.The Calman findings outlined a range of powers which it recommended should be handed from Westminster to Holyrood.
'Sovereign decision' We have a willingness to put a question - another question on the Calman proposals - onto that ballot paper so no one can say their option has been excluded Alex SalmondFirst minister of Scotland
These included airgun legislation and powers to set drink driving and speed limits - but Mr Salmond branded the report "fundamentally weak and flawed in a number of areas".These included airgun legislation and powers to set drink driving and speed limits - but Mr Salmond branded the report "fundamentally weak and flawed in a number of areas".
During an event to promote the Scottish Government's "National Conversation" on Scotland's constitutional future, Mr Salmond said the people must have the right to a say on independence - an issue which the Calman review did not consider.During an event to promote the Scottish Government's "National Conversation" on Scotland's constitutional future, Mr Salmond said the people must have the right to a say on independence - an issue which the Calman review did not consider.
"If, as a price of allowing the Scottish people to decide, that both options have to be presented to get the parliament to allow the people to determine in a referendum their own future, then I'm perfectly happy to have both options on the ballot paper," he said."If, as a price of allowing the Scottish people to decide, that both options have to be presented to get the parliament to allow the people to determine in a referendum their own future, then I'm perfectly happy to have both options on the ballot paper," he said.
Mr Salmond added: "We have a willingness to put a question - another question on the Calman proposals - onto that ballot paper so no one can say their option has been excluded or neglected, and then take it to the people of Scotland and abide by the sovereign decision of the only jury that really matters in this country, that's the people of Scotland." Mr Salmond added: "We have a willingness to put a question - another question on the Calman proposals - onto that ballot paper so no one can say their option has been excluded or neglected, and then take it to the people of Scotland and abide by the sovereign decision of the only jury that really matters in this country - that's the people of Scotland."
Scotland's main opposition parties - Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats - said the first minister's Calman pledge was a red herring. 'Cynical attempt'
The Scottish Government will also announce its recommendations from the National Conversation on St Andrew's Day, 30 November, on how to take the referendum forward. Scotland's main opposition parties - who backed the setting up of the devolution commission, chaired by Sir Kenneth Calman - dismissed Mr Salmond's pledge as a red herring and an attempt by his minority government to win enough support to hold the referendum.
Scottish Tory Leader Annabel Goldie said: "This is a cynical attempt by the SNP to play politics with the serious recommendations from the Calman Commission."
The SNP, said a Labour spokesman, had been "running around like headless chickens in their response to Calman, adding: "One minute they support it, the next they are against it."
A Lib Dem spokesman said: "As no political party opposes Calman, putting it to a referendum would be a pointless waste of taxpayers' time and money."
The Scottish Government also said it would announce its recommendations from the National Conversation on 30 November - St Andrew's Day - on how to take the referendum forward.