Steps To Enhance Holyrood Powers

Lord Smith of Kelvin announces details of his commission at the Scottish Parliament.

Robert Smith, Lord Smith of Kelvin, has today set out initial details of his Commission and started the process of engaging Scotland's political parties with a visit to the Scottish Parliament.

On visiting the Scottish Parliament, Robert said:
 
"Following the referendum we have a willingness, shared by all five of Scotland's main political parties, to strengthen the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
 
"My message today to the political parties is a simple one - Scotland expects you to now come together, work together and agree the detail of what those powers should be. 
 
"Time is tight but this is not an exercise in thinking about what we could do; that has been done. It is about agreeing on what we will do.
 
"My job is to create a process through which agreement is reached, but I cannot force an agreement. It will not be easy; it will require positive intent, courage and compromise from all parties. But I have confidence that our political leaders will rise to the challenge and I look forward to working with them."
 
The terms of reference for the Commission are as follows:
 
To convene cross-party talks and facilitate an inclusive engagement process across Scotland to produce, by 30 November 2014, Heads of Agreement with recommendations for further devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament. This process will be informed by a Command Paper, to be published by 31 October and will result in the publication of draft clauses by 25 January. The recommendations will deliver more financial, welfare and taxation powers, strengthening the Scottish Parliament within the United Kingdom.
 
The UK Government will publish the Command Paper.
 
A set of proposals - the Heads of Agreement  - will be published by the Commission, independent of both the UK and Scottish Governments, based on the views of the five political parties and with input from the wider engagement programme.
 
The engagement programme will include:
 
· Engaging Scotland's five political parties

Over the course of today Robert will meet with the Presiding Officer and representatives of the Scottish Conservatives Party, Scottish Labour Party, Scottish Liberal Democrats Party, the Scottish National Party and the Scottish Green Party. 

He will invite each party to nominate two representatives, at least one of which should be a member of the Scottish Parliament, to take part in the cross-party talks. He will also ask each party to prepare a written submission on their views on strengthening the Scottish Parliament within the United Kingdom. The names of the party representatives will be published by Friday 26 September.

· Engaging civic Scotland

Later this week Robert will write to Scottish civic institutions and business groups, seeking their views on strengthening the Scottish Parliament within the United Kingdom. 

·  Engaging the wider Scottish public

Next week, Robert will announce plans for how individual Scots can share their views on strengthening the Scottish Parliament within the United Kingdom.