TIME RUNNING OUT FOR TRANSFER OF CALMAN POWERS

TIME RUNNING OUT FOR TRANSFER OF CALMAN POWERS

LABOUR HOLDING-UP AIRGUN AND DRINK DRIVE ACTION WITH DELAYS

As the Scotland Secretary Jim Murphy is grilled before the Scottish Affairs Select Committee today (Wednesday), the SNP warned time is running out for the transfer of powers from Westminster to Holyrood as recommended by the Calman Commission on drink drive limits, speed limits, control of air weapons, and responsibility for Scottish elections.

The Scottish Government has 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 15 January (Friday) and at Holyrood by 20 January.

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP called on the Prime Minister to act so the powers could be used to make Scotland’s streets safer. His calls are underpinned by a Motion passed by the Scottish Parliament on 9 December 2009, which supported the transfer of these powers “before the dissolution of the current UK Parliament”.

Mr Robertson said:

“Time is running out for the transfer of powers as recommended by the Calman Commission. We are talking about powers over issues like airguns and drink driving that could be used to make Scotland safer and yet the UK Government still stand in the way of progress.

“There is no possible reason why the people of Scotland need wait for these important and necessary changes. If they are the right thing to do – and we all agree that they are – then we should be delivering them as quickly as possible, not kicking them into the Westminster long grass.

“This week is the Westminster deadline to deliver on the Scottish Parliament’s demand for change. If Labour will not transfer these important powers to Holyrood before the election – as Scotland’s Parliament itself has called for – then this will become a key issue in the election.

“It is extremely disappointing, therefore, that the UK Government is refusing to work together with Scotland’s Parliament and Government in order to make these important and necessary changes.

“The key to fighting recession and boosting Scotland’s performance is securing the full powers we need to succeed.”