The Referendum on Separation for Scotland: Unanswered Questions

HC 1806, Sixth Report of Session 2010-12

Author:

House of Commons - Scottish Affairs Committee

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

Price: £8.50

Larger image

The report 'The Referendum on Separation for Scotland: Unanswered Questions (HC 1806)' examines the main areas identified by the Secretary of State for Scotland, where clarification is required.

The main areas for discussion are:

• bank regulation;

• pension payments;

• the national currency;

• membership of international organisations;

• Scotland's defences; and

• the cost of separation.

The Committee has asked members of the public to submit their questions on which matters need to be clarified within these themes, and what additional questions need to be resolved. In addition the Daily Record launched a campaign in support of the inquiry and its readers have also submitted a series of questions.

All the questions received so far are published with this report and will form the basis of the inquiry. Many relate to specific policy areas where the answers would most likely vary according to which political party or parties formed a Government in a separate Scotland.

These questions will be crucial to voters in determining which party they might vote for in any Scottish General Election post-separation. The Committee says the main structural and institutional issues which will form the constitutional architecture of a post-separation Scotland, are more pressing in terms of enabling the electorate to make a choice on how they would vote in a referendum on separation. It is these questions that will be the focus for the Committee.

The Committee recommends that as a matter of urgency, the Secretary of State for Scotland takes responsibility for clarifying the UK Government's position on appropriate matters, by co-ordinating work across the Cabinet.

The Secretary of State for Scotland must also work with the Committee to provide a joint provision of factual and unbiased information to the people of Scotland.

Extent	31 pages	ISBN	9780215041777
Size	A4	Price	£8.50
Format	Paperback	Published	15 Feb 2012
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges