Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Michael Connarty Excerpts
Wednesday 25th February 2015

(9 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alistair Carmichael Portrait Mr Carmichael
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I absolutely refute that suggestion and the hon. Gentleman’s characterisation of that analysis as being widespread.

Michael Connarty Portrait Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (Lab)
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13. Has the Secretary of State specifically discussed the question of varying tax bands under the Smith agreement, which seems a marvellous opportunity for Scotland to decide how it treats people with differing levels of income? It might be different from the way they are treated in the rest of the UK.

Alistair Carmichael Portrait Mr Carmichael
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The hon. Gentleman is right and he takes the debate in a direction in which it has to go. Surely the time has come when we should no longer be discussing where powers lie, but discussing what can be done with the substantial powers that the third most powerful devolved legislature anywhere in the world will have as a result of these proposals.