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Smith Commission: Party representatives hold first meeting on more Scots power | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The Smith Commission, set up to consider more powers for the Scottish Parliament, is to hold its first full meeting later. | The Smith Commission, set up to consider more powers for the Scottish Parliament, is to hold its first full meeting later. |
Chairman Lord Smith of Kelvin will meet representatives of Scotland's main political parties at the Green Investment Bank in Edinburgh. | Chairman Lord Smith of Kelvin will meet representatives of Scotland's main political parties at the Green Investment Bank in Edinburgh. |
The SNP, Labour, the Conservatives, the Lib Dems and the Scottish Green Party have all made devolution proposals. | The SNP, Labour, the Conservatives, the Lib Dems and the Scottish Green Party have all made devolution proposals. |
The commission is expected to reach an agreement by 30 November. | The commission is expected to reach an agreement by 30 November. |
Prime Minister David Cameron announced the establishment of the commission after voters in Scotland rejected independence in September's referendum. | Prime Minister David Cameron announced the establishment of the commission after voters in Scotland rejected independence in September's referendum. |
The five parties in the Scottish Parliament each have two representatives on the commission: | |
Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, who campaigned against independence, have all promised further powers for Scotland in areas including taxation, the economy and employment. | Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, who campaigned against independence, have all promised further powers for Scotland in areas including taxation, the economy and employment. |
The commission is tasked with finding common ground between the pro-Union parties and the more radical submissions from the SNP and Scottish Greens. | The commission is tasked with finding common ground between the pro-Union parties and the more radical submissions from the SNP and Scottish Greens. |
While Labour has proposed giving the Scottish Parliament control of around 40% of the revenue it raises, the SNP has argued that all tax revenues should be retained in Scotland, unless there is a "specific reason" for any to remain reserved to Westminster. | While Labour has proposed giving the Scottish Parliament control of around 40% of the revenue it raises, the SNP has argued that all tax revenues should be retained in Scotland, unless there is a "specific reason" for any to remain reserved to Westminster. |
Last week, MPs and academics told the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee at Westminster that the timetable set out for the commission was "unrealistic". | Last week, MPs and academics told the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee at Westminster that the timetable set out for the commission was "unrealistic". |
However, Lord Smith argued that agreement was possible. | However, Lord Smith argued that agreement was possible. |
Speaking ahead of the meeting, he said: "Having spoken to all of the parties individually, I believe the will is there to reach agreement. | |
"Today's talks give them the chance to sit down around the table together, find common ground and begin the process of delivering what the people of Scotland expect - a substantial and cohesive package of new powers which will strengthen the Scottish Parliament within the UK ." | "Today's talks give them the chance to sit down around the table together, find common ground and begin the process of delivering what the people of Scotland expect - a substantial and cohesive package of new powers which will strengthen the Scottish Parliament within the UK ." |