Scotland’s Constitutional Future

Angus Brendan MacNeil Excerpts

Tuesday 10th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Michael Moore]

I am not going to speculate on the election results in May, but I agree that we should get a clear basis for the referendum and get it sooner rather than later.

[Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)]

The Secretary of State has made a big issue of a point of law, but in June last year, Professor Stephen Tierney, professor of constitutional theory at Edinburgh university, said:

“The Scottish Parliament has the authority to stage a referendum.”

Does the Secretary of State agree that Scotland’s democratic Parliament does not need Westminster’s permission for a self-determination referendum, although a generous spirit from the Westminster Government would indeed be welcome?

[Michael Moore]

I am afraid that for reasons that should now be obvious I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman.