Scotland’s Constitutional Future

Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton Excerpts

Tuesday 10th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Michael Moore]

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her welcome for this. I absolutely agree that people in Scotland will not thank any of us, from any political party—whether we were elected in Scotland to serve here in the House of Commons, or to serve in the Scottish Parliament—for playing politics with this most important process, leading to the most important decision we will ever take as a country. I therefore agree with her that it is important, as I have set out in my statement today and as we say in the consultation paper, that the two Governments work together. I spoke earlier this afternoon to the First Minister and asked him to consider carefully what is in the consultation paper. I look forward to meeting him early on to discuss it further.

[Mark Lancaster (Milton Keynes North) (Con)]

Given the economic implications of an independent Scotland for my constituents, when will the English finally get a say on the future of the Union?

[Michael Moore]

I have to say to my hon. Friend that it is important that the people of Scotland decide their place in the United Kingdom. I am confident that when they do so they will vote to stay within the United Kingdom.