Scotland’s Constitutional Future

Debate between Ian C. Lucas and Michael Moore

Tuesday 10th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab)]

Is it the UK Government’s position that the referendum should take place within 18 months of today?

[Michael Moore]

No. If the hon. Gentleman looks at the consultation paper, he will see that no date was set in the consultation. I certainly believe it should be sooner rather than later and I hope to persuade the Scottish Government and people across Scotland that we should have it as soon as possible. However, 18 months is not the position of the Government and is not in the consultation document.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ian C. Lucas and Michael Moore

Wednesday 22nd June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab)]

7. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills about the transfer to the Scottish Parliament of the power to set rates of corporation tax.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore)]

I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a wide range of issues. The Scottish Government included the devolution of corporation tax among its requests for amendments to the Scotland Bill. To date, the Government have not received any detailed proposals from the Scottish Government.

[Ian Lucas]

On the same day the Business Secretary said that the logic of devolving corporation tax was irresistible, he subsequently said that he fully supported the Government’s position in opposing it. Is not the Business Secretary a bit of an embarrassment both to Scottish business and to the Government, and is it not about time he started speaking to the Secretary of State for Scotland about important matters such as corporation tax?

[Michael Moore]

I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Business Secretary and I are at one on the issue.