Mark has welcomed the Calman Commission proposals for more devolution which have just been published and called for legislation to be introduced this year to put the changes into effect

The final report of the Calman Commission on Scottish Devolution recommends that the Scottish Government  should have control of half the income tax raised in Scotland. It also said that new powers should be transferred to the Scottish Parliament to control areas such as

• national speed limits
• drink-driving laws
• airgun legislation.
• marine conservation

Mark said:

“The package is both practical and far-reaching in its potential. The proposals on taxation and borrowing powers will greatly extend the financial responsibility of the Scottish Parliament and Government.

“The proposals for extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament in other areas are ones that I fully support also. I urge the UK government to introduce the necessary legislation in the autumn of this year so that they can take effect as soon as possible. The financial changes do have some complexity, but the other changes in powers could be brought into effect very quickly. There is no reason why there should be yet further years of discussion given the widespread consultation that the Calman Commission has undertaken.

“There are also changes which would not require legislation, and these too should be implemented as soon as possible by the UK and Scottish Governments and Parliaments as soon as possible. These changes are designed to bring about better cooperation between the different levels of government, in the interests of Scotland, and the sooner they are brought into effect the better. "

You can download the report by clicking here.