Rennie calls on Government to “get on” with implementing Calman Proposals (Aberdeen North Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen North Liberal Democrats <anne.carmichael@btinternet.com>

Rennie calls on Government to “get on” with implementing Calman Proposals

November 30, 2009 9:25 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Following the announcement from Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy MP that no legislation will be introduced before the next UK general election, West Fife MP Willie Rennie has called on the Government to "get on" with implementing the Calman recommendations.

In a statement to the House of Commons on Wednesday, Jim Murphy MP confirmed the government's intention to devolve the power to set income tax levels as well as stamp duty, landfill tax and aggregates levy to the Scottish Parliament. The UK Government would transfer powers to Scotland including air weapons, drink drive limits, and national speed limits.Willie Rennie MP: Dunfermline & West Fife

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Rennie expressed his dismay at the Government's refusal to implement the proposals, which would way pave the way forward to pay for the new Forth Road Bridge.

Commenting Mr Rennie said:

"On jobs and the economy, on climate change, on social justice, the Calman Commission offered practical change that will have a real impact in Fife. I cannot understand why, when the benefits would include the funding of the Forth crossing, we can't just get on with it.

"We all remember that statement from the SNP Government last December which implied that it had got an agreed approach to fund the Forth Bridge. It turned out it hadn't. Then the UK Government announced on 4th March that it had come up with a billion pound package to pay for the bridge. It hadn't either. Calman means that the age of announcement-without-money is over.

"We've been clear that the Calman proposals for more powers for Scotland can be implemented now. We don't need to wait for a White Paper. We need to get on and get building."

Notes:

Question from Willie Rennie MP to Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy MP 25/11/09

Willie Rennie (Dunfermline and West Fife) (LD): Despite all the noise in the Chamber, there is a cross-party consensus and even the SNP Members are behind these proposals. The Bill would get a smooth passage through this House and the other place. I cannot understand why, when the practical benefits would include the funding of the Forth crossing, we cannot just get on with it. We would be right behind the Secretary of State.

Mr. Murphy: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his interest in this and his commitment to the package that we unveiled today. As Sir Ken Calman has said, this is a package of 63 recommendations which hang together. We intend to take forward 39 of the 42 that apply to the Government. On the question of the Forth road bridge, there is a deal on the table. The Scottish Government have unprecedented flexibility, not matched in any other Department in Whitehall or other part of the UK Government, and £1 billion that would help to make the Forth road bridge a reality. Unfortunately, for reasons of ideology, they are turning their back on that unprecedented deal. They have the constitutional right to be wrong, but it is not too late for them to change their minds.