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Smith Commission: Party representatives hold first meeting on more Scots power Smith Commission: Party representatives hold first meeting on more Scots power
(about 1 hour 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 holding its first full meeting.
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 and representatives of Scotland's main political parties are meeting 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: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.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 ."
'Not easy''Not easy'
But Nicola McEwen, who is a politics professor at the University of Edinburgh, warned that a "swift agreement" would not come easy. But Nicola McEwen, who is a politics professor at the University of Edinburgh, warned that a "swift agreement" would not come easily.
She told the BBC: "These are different parties with different proposals, not just the UK parties, but the SNP and the Green Party too and then there is all the submissions from civil society and the public that are part of the mix.She told the BBC: "These are different parties with different proposals, not just the UK parties, but the SNP and the Green Party too and then there is all the submissions from civil society and the public that are part of the mix.
"So, it would be extraordinarily difficult to get agreement in time for the end of November - an agreement that can satisfy enough people.""So, it would be extraordinarily difficult to get agreement in time for the end of November - an agreement that can satisfy enough people."