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Scottish independence: Westminster debates section 30 referendum order Scottish independence: Michael Moore issues warning over vote question
(35 minutes later)
MPs and Lords are expected to approve legislation which gives Holyrood the power to hold a Scottish independence referendum in 2014. Scottish Secretary Michael Moore has warned that all parties should accept the findings of a watchdog scrutinising the referendum question.
The House of Commons is now debating the so-called section 30 order. He was speaking during a Commons debate on the section 30 order which will hand Holyrood powers to run the 2014 vote.
The matter will pass on to the House of Lords on Wednesday and then go before the Privy Council for final approval next month. Mr Moore said the SNP government would be held to account for how it responded to the Electoral Commission findings.
The Scottish government wants the independence referendum to be held in autumn 2014. Nationalist MP Angus Robertson said the Scottish government "will listen" to the body's advice.
The move to give Holyrood control of the vote process was agreed when Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond signed the href=" with a single Yes/No question on Scotland leaving the UK." >Edinburgh Agreement in October last year. He added that the poll on Scotland's future would be "beyond reproach".
rel="stylesheet" rev="stylesheet" href="http://static.bbci.co.uk/modules/twitter/0.1.64/css/gel_preset.css"/> rel="stylesheet" rev="stylesheet" href="http://static.bbci.co.uk/modules/twitter/0.1.64/css/gel_single_account.css"/> Both the Commons and the Lords are this week debating the section 30 order which will allow the Scottish Parliament to hold a legally binding independence referendum.
SNP's Pete Wishart describes it as a "fantastic moment" that Sec 30 order can provide possibility for Scotland to decide its own future
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    The deal also ensures a single Yes/No question on Scotland leaving the UK. Coalition minister Mr Moore said that if the order was approved the Scottish government would be able to devise a bill setting out the wording of the question; the date of the referendum and the rules of the campaign.
    In addition it it will allow 16 and 17-year-olds to take part in the ballot. He added that both the Westminster and Holyrood administrations had already agreed that the commission should review the question which the SNP would like to be: "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?"
    The UK government has responsibility over constitutional issues, however, if the section 30 order is approved it will mean the Scottish Parliament can be given the necessary powers to hold a legally binding referendum. Mr Moore then warned: "The Scottish government has committed to put before the Scottish Parliament its response to the Electoral Commission's recommendations.
    The Commons debate, which is expected to last up to five hours, began with a statement from Scottish Secretary Michael Moore. "This means that the Scottish government will be held to account by the public and parliament alike for how it responds to that advice.
    The coalition minister addressed some key issues including the referendum question and campaign funding. "In this case, all opposition leaders in the Scottish Parliament have stated their intention to abide by the Electoral Commission's judgment.
    Labour's Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran responded to Mr Moore by saying she welcomed the order. She added that she was looking forward to the substance of the debate on the referendum. "To do otherwise would be a significant step, for which there would be a political price."
    Ahead of the discussion on the section 30 order, SNP MP Pete Wishart said "today is a historic day for Scotland". During the debate, the SNP's Mr Robertson came under pressure to endorse the conclusions of the commission, which is expected to report next month.
    He added: "This is where Westminster's role in the referendum process ends, and full jurisdiction is passed to the Scottish Parliament, where it belongs. While I'm sure some MPs will support the move grudgingly, I'm expecting overwhelming recognition that the referendum ought to be passed to the Scottish Parliament. He said its views would be listened to but he refused to promise that its advice would be followed.
    "This is Scotland's referendum - it will adhere to the highest standards, and be a referendum we can all be proud of." Mr Robertson told the chamber: "It [the referendum] will meet the highest standards of fairness, transparency and propriety - informed by consultation and independent expert advice, that includes the Electoral Commission.
    Meanwhile, Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reiterated SNP calls for pre-independence negotiations ahead of the referendum in 2014. "It is in everybody's interest that this referendum proceeds to the highest standards possible."
    She told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "There is some ground work we can do now to ensure that if people in Scotland vote yes, as I obviously hope that they do, we are in a position after that result to move quickly and smoothly to implement the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland." In a note of unity, Mr Robertson went on to thank his political opponents for the efforts they had made on the referendum so far.
    He praised Mr Moore, Prime Minister David Cameron, the Labour opposition as well as First Minister Alex Salmond and his deputy Nicola Sturgeon.
    Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran said a referendum should draw a line under the issue of independence.
    She told the House: "This is the opportunity that a referendum offers us to settle the question decisively once and for all. This is the fault line now in Scottish politics; you either support partnership with the United Kingdom or you support separation.
    "What we need to do is settle that once and for all and then move away from the issue that keeps Alex Salmond awake at night to the concerns that keep our constituents awake at night."
    The section 30 order will pass on to the House of Lords on Wednesday and then go before the Privy Council for final approval next month.
    The Scottish government wants the independence referendum to be held in autumn 2014 and for a single Yes/No question on Scotland leaving the UK.
    In addition it wants 16 and 17-year-olds to take part in the ballot.
    The UK government has responsibility over constitutional issues, however, the section 30 order will give temporary powers to the Scottish Parliament to hold the referendum.