This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scottish Parliament to stay at current size
18/12/2002
The Executive today welcomed the announcement by the
Scotland Office that the Scottish Parliament will remain at
its current size.
Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell made the announcement
in the House of Commons.
First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"I want the Scottish Parliament to concentrate on making
a difference in schools, hospitals and cutting crime. The
last thing Scotland needs is more constitutional change or
disruption. That is why I welcome the stability now
guaranteed by the Secretary of State."
Mr McConnell was responding to an announcement made by
Secretary of State Helen Liddell today.
The Scottish Executive published a
detailed response to the Scotland Office consultation
on this issue setting out the case for amending the
Scotland Act to allow the Parliament to remain at its
current size. The key arguments made were on the grounds of
stability, consensus, workload and fairness.