Oral Answers to Questions

Christopher Chope Excerpts

Wednesday 25th February 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con)]

7. What public consultation his Department is carrying out in Scotland on the draft clauses published following the recommendations of the Smith commission.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alistair Carmichael)]

The Scotland Office is holding a series of events across Scotland to enable stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft clauses and how the new powers might be used. I can announce to the House today that the Government will now begin a public information campaign to enable people in Scotland to learn more about the devolution settlement and how it is changing. [Interruption.] This campaign will use social media, local media and an information booklet for every house in Scotland. [Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. There is a lot of noise in the Chamber. The House and perhaps the nation should hear Mr Christopher Chope.

[Mr Chope]

The nation would be interested to know that draft clause 1 has been widely condemned as legally vacuous. What is the Secretary of State going to do to ensure that the people of Scotland realise that it is legally vacuous and that if they support it, they will be supporting a meaningless constitutional proposal?

[Mr Carmichael]

I absolutely refute that suggestion and the hon. Gentleman’s characterisation of that analysis as being widespread.