Queen's Speech concessions by SNP

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The Scottish Government is to propose that several measures in the Queen's Speech covered under devolved powers should be dealt with by Westminster.

MSPs will be asked to agree to MPs legislating on climate change targets, regulation of health care professions and accessing dormant bank accounts.

However, critics hit out at the move by the SNP administration, citing its past scepticism over such moves.

Ministers said it was evidence of a willingness to co-operate.

The Scottish Government also said that, as well as the proposals under the so-called 'Sewel convention', they would continue to press for action on Westminster-reserved issues such as curbing firearms and ship-to-ship oil transfers.

The convention was named after Lord Sewel, the Scottish Office Lords Minister who saw through the Scotland Act.

The Scottish Government is committed to considering proposals for legislative consent motions on a case-by-case basis Bruce Crawford,Minister for Parliament

Under the system, MSPs have allowed some devolved issues to be dealt with by Westminster.

Minister for Parliament, Bruce Crawford, said: "The Sewel convention provides that the UK Government will not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters in Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.

"This is an important part of the devolution settlement, signifying respect for the role of the Scottish Parliament.

"The Scottish Government is committed to considering proposals for legislative consent motions on a case-by-case basis, and believes that the Sewel convention will remain a key part of the current constitutional arrangements as long as the United Kingdom Parliament retains its current powers."

The bills are:

<ul class="bulletList"><li>To include Scotland in improvements and changes to the UK regulatory regime for the health care professions</li>

<li>To provide a statutory UK framework for actions to tackle climate change by cutting emissions, including setting a statutory target for the reduction of carbon emissions</li>

<li>To allow access to funds in dormant accounts to invest back into society in Scotland and give powers to Scottish ministers to decide on distributing the money</li></ul>

The Liberal Democrats pointed to comments made by the SNP in 2004 that the then Labour/Lib Dem Holyrood government had "forced through" dozens of Sewel motions with Tory backing.

"The SNP in opposition were set against Sewel motions, yet in government seem keen to use them, " said Alistair Carmichael, the party's Scottish affairs spokesman.

Meanwhile, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said the Queen's Speech was a "missed opportunity" for Scotland, claiming there were no new measures to boost the nation's economy, and competitive advantage.

Scottish Secretary Des Browne said most of the bills would change work, retirement, energy and the environment for the better.

"This is a legislative programme which will make a real difference to the lives of all Scots," he said.

"It is broad in its ambition for the people of Scotland and underlines the government's commitment to meeting the rising aspirations of those who live and work across the United Kingdom."