SNP RAMP UP CALMAN CALLS AS LABOUR FACE FINAL CHANCE

SNP RAMP UP CALMAN CALLS AS LABOUR FACE FINAL CHANCE

WESTMINSTER HOLDING SCOTLAND BACK

The SNP Westminster Group has issued a final challenge to the UK Government to transfer powers to the Scottish Parliament, as recommended by the Calman Commission, including control over the drink drive limit, speed limit, control of air weapons, and responsibility for Scottish elections.

The Scottish Government has already published the necessary Orders to achieve this – which could be approved at the Privy Council meeting in March if they are laid at Westminster by next Friday (15th January) and at Holyrood by 20th January.

As that deadline draws near, SNP Chief Whip Stewart Hosie MP has tabled a motion in the UK Parliament calling on all MPs to back the transfer.

Commenting, Mr Hosie said:

“By refusing to act, Westminster is holding Scotland back.

“The Scottish Parliament has already backed an SNP motion calling for the powers to be transferred. The UK Parliament must follow this lead and work constructively with the Scottish Government to implement those recommendations of the Commission on Scottish Devolution on which there is widespread agreement before the next General Election.

“If they are the right thing to do – and all the parties have agreed that they are – then we should be delivering them as quickly as possible, not kicking them into the Westminster long grass.

“The priority must be action to implement the changes about which everyone is agreed and we have set out a timetable for laying the Orders at Holyrood and Westminster to achieve the necessary Privy Council approval.

“It is still possible to meet this timetable although Orders need to be laid at Westminster by 15th January and Holyrood by 20th January. The

transfer of these responsibilities will have consequences for other government functions – devolved and reserved. Scottish Government officials are ready to work through the detail of these consequences with Whitehall officials.

“The Labour Government at Westminster is stalling on Calman and, as we enter the last week in which the Orders can be taken forward, the SNP will be stepping up our campaign to see these essential changes made.”