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Scottish independence: Lords debate referendum order Scottish independence: Lords approve referendum order
(35 minutes later)
The House of Lords is debating whether to approve the transfer of powers to Holyrood to allow it to hold a referendum on Scottish independence. The House of Lords has unanimously approved the legal transfer of powers to Holyrood to allow it to hold a referendum on Scottish independence.
MPs have already unanimously approved the so-called section 30 order.MPs have already unanimously approved the so-called section 30 order.
The issue is expected to be passed but some lords are expected to voice opposition. Tory peer Lord Forsyth expressed concerns that the transfer of powers should only happen once the exact date and question have been agreed.
Tory peer Lord Forsyth has expressed concerns that the transfer of powers should only happen once the exact date and question have been agreed.
The Scottish government wants to hold its Scottish independence referendum in autumn 2014.The Scottish government wants to hold its Scottish independence referendum in autumn 2014.
The UK government has control of constitutional matters but if the special section 30 order is approved by Westminster powers to hold the historic vote will be handed to Holyrood. The UK government has control of constitutional matters but once the special section 30 order is approved by Westminster powers to hold the historic vote will be handed to Holyrood.
First Minister Alex Salmond's government will then be able to bring forward a referendum bill which will set out the wording of the question; the date of the referendum and the rules of the campaign.First Minister Alex Salmond's government will then be able to bring forward a referendum bill which will set out the wording of the question; the date of the referendum and the rules of the campaign.
Ahead of the Lords debate, former Scottish secretary of state Lord Forsyth told the BBC: "What I am saying to the government is look don't you think it might be wise to get from Alex Salmond a clear indication of what the question is and also have the advice from the Electoral Commission as to what they think of this proposed question.Ahead of the Lords debate, former Scottish secretary of state Lord Forsyth told the BBC: "What I am saying to the government is look don't you think it might be wise to get from Alex Salmond a clear indication of what the question is and also have the advice from the Electoral Commission as to what they think of this proposed question.
Alex Salmond was in London today - but not, of course, in the House of Lords where peers were debating whether to grant Holyrood the legal power to hold an independence referendum.Alex Salmond was in London today - but not, of course, in the House of Lords where peers were debating whether to grant Holyrood the legal power to hold an independence referendum.
The SNP has a policy which prevents Nationalists, however distinguished, from donning ermine.The SNP has a policy which prevents Nationalists, however distinguished, from donning ermine.
And so today's debate in their Lordships' House proceeded without a Nationalist contribution. Nonetheless, Mr Salmond was the spectre at the feast, conjured up by speaker after speaker.And so today's debate in their Lordships' House proceeded without a Nationalist contribution. Nonetheless, Mr Salmond was the spectre at the feast, conjured up by speaker after speaker.
"I think once he [Mr Salmond] has got that power he'll do exactly what he likes and the very last thing that we want is for a referendum where people argue that some aspect of it was not fair.""I think once he [Mr Salmond] has got that power he'll do exactly what he likes and the very last thing that we want is for a referendum where people argue that some aspect of it was not fair."
'Sticks in craw''Sticks in craw'
Mr Salmond hit back at the peer, saying "we don't need lessons from Lord Forsyth and the unelected House of Lords".Mr Salmond hit back at the peer, saying "we don't need lessons from Lord Forsyth and the unelected House of Lords".
He added: "These people, who are in the last ditch, they cannot stand the idea that Scotland is now in charge of our own destiny - that is basically what sticks in the craw of Lord Forsyth and he and his colleagues, I suspect, will be in the last ditch for some time to come."He added: "These people, who are in the last ditch, they cannot stand the idea that Scotland is now in charge of our own destiny - that is basically what sticks in the craw of Lord Forsyth and he and his colleagues, I suspect, will be in the last ditch for some time to come."
If the Lords back the section 30 order the matter will then be sent to the Privy Council, which is a body of senior UK political figures, for final approval. The section 30 order will now be sent to the Privy Council, which is a body of senior UK political figures, for final approval.