Scotland: Referendum Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Leader of the House

Scotland: Referendum

Lord Nickson Excerpts
Monday 31st October 2011

(13 years, 1 month ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Strathclyde Portrait Lord Strathclyde
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, the fundamental principle that we believe applies is that matters concerning the union of the kingdom are a reserved matter.

Lord Nickson Portrait Lord Nickson
- Hansard - -

My Lords, in the tragic event that there was a referendum and the people of Scotland voted for a separate state, what is the Government’s view on what currency they should adopt? Is it a possibility that it might have to be the euro instead of sterling?

Lord Strathclyde Portrait Lord Strathclyde
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, certainly one of the questions that will be raised—and is continually raised—with the First Minister of Scotland, is what currency would exist within the British Isles if Scotland were no longer part of the United Kingdom. At this stage is it is very difficult to answer.