Scottish Government
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Calman Commission
The Calman Commission which has been examining the experience of 10 years of Scottish devolution published its final report yesterday.
Constitution Minister Michael Russell responded:
"The Scottish Government welcome any proposals for additional responsibilities for the Scottish Parliament and Government - as part of the overall powers that Scotland needs as an independent nation. And we support a number of the Calman Commission's specific recommendations - such as devolving responsibility for air weapons, drink-drive limits, and indeed the running of Scottish Parliament elections -while rejecting any suggestion of transferring any powers back to Westminster.
"Of course the reality is that it is the continued success of the Scottish Government which is driving forward the constitutional debate in Scotland.
"However, the Calman Commission's recommendations on finance fall far short of the requirements of our nation, and the challenges of our times. Scotland needs full fiscal autonomy, allowing this country to raise all the money it spends and take the big economic decisions. That is the best and simplest solution - anything else risks being a messy fudge. Borrowing powers for Scotland are to be welcomed, although the Calman proposals are too limited.
"At present, we have a 'pocket money parliament' - under the Calman proposals, Scotland would have a Saturday job but the pay would be deducted from our pocket money. Scotland has to go much further than a system of the Treasury giving with one hand and taking away with the other - which is why the Scottish Parliament and Government need fiscal autonomy and full financial powers.
"In particular, the failure to recommend giving Scotland any control over its own oil and gas resources is extremely disappointing. It runs entirely counter to the findings of the Calman Commission's own expert group, which said that Scotland was entitled to a 90 per cent share of UK oil revenues and that there would be a benefit in having a Scottish oil fund, similar to the Norwegian fund now worth more than £200 billion. That 90 per cent share is worth around £30 billion over the next five years, at a time when the UK Government is planning to cut £500 million a year from Scotland's budget.
"None the less, I am glad that, as is clear, the Calman Commission is not recommending the status quo. Change is happening, so we must now determine what is the best solution for the people of Scotland.
"The best way to resolve the debate about improving Scotland's governance is the free and fair referendum that the Scottish Government propose for next year, when we will offer people the opportunity to choose independence and equality for Scotland.
"The open and inclusive National Conversation will take that process forward, and indeed its activities will be intensified at Tuesday's public event held by the First Minister and I in West Lothian."
