Oral Answers to Questions

Lindsay Roy Excerpts

Wednesday 21st July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/Co-op)]

4. What recent assessment he has made of the recommendations of the final report of the Commission on Scottish Devolution.

[Lindsay Roy (Glenrothes) (Lab)]

5. What the proposed timetable is for implementation of the Calman commission’s recommendations.

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

As I outlined in response to questions from hon. Members on 16 June, I have asked officials to work for the autumn introduction of a Bill to take forward legislative proposals, with non-legislative recommendations taken forward under a similar time scale.

--- Later in debate ---

[Michael Moore]

As I have set out, we intend to engage fully with the different sectors in Scotland that will be affected by the changes. As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, we are heavily engaged with the Treasury and HMRC to work our way through the changes that will come as a consequence of Calman, which I believe his party still supports.

[Lindsay Roy]

Does the Secretary of State agree with the leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Scottish Parliament, Tavish Scott, when he says:

“Politicians should not be able to take easy spending decisions without the responsibility of accounting for this money. Blaming Westminster should not be a get-out clause”?

[Michael Moore]

I am in complete agreement with the hon. Gentleman.