Scotland Bill

Baroness D'Souza Excerpts

Wednesday 28th March 2012 Lords Chamber

Of course, my noble friend Lord Deben is more enthusiastic about the European Union than I have been and he is right from a sedentary position to ask, “What about the EU?”. Would Scotland as an independent nation be able to join the EU? If it was not able to join the EU, what would the consequences be? If it was able to join, presumably it would not benefit from the opt-out which we enjoy on the euro. Therefore, what would happen in terms of the implications for our currency, for cross-border movement and the rest? These issues are hugely important. This is not a dodgy dossier exercise or about getting government departments to make political statements one way or the other. It is simply about listing the issues which would arise so that those involved, on whichever side of the debate, can address the issues instead of being involved in a kind of Brigadoon debate which is characterised north of the border.

[The Lord Speaker (Baroness D'Souza)]

Does the noble Lord wish to move his amendment?

[Lord Forsyth of Drumlean]

I am moving my amendment.