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The Queen's Speech
06/11/2007
Minister for Parliamentary Business Bruce Crawford has commented on today's Queen's Speech.
He said:
"The Queen's Speech reflects the focus and priorities of the Westminster Government. However, there are additional important steps, beyond primary legislation, the UK should be taking this year. The Scottish Government will continue to press UK Ministers and explore ways to take forward issues of importance to Scotland, such as ship-to-ship oil transfers and firearms.
"The Scottish Government has already raised these matters with the UK Government and we look forward to securing action on these and other issues in the best interests of Scotland."
The Scottish Government has confirmed that it proposes to bring forward Legislative Consent Motions for a number of Bills to ensure a consistent approach in these areas across the UK.
These proposed legislative changes will be in addition to the Government's legislative programme published on 5 September.
Mr Crawford added:
"The Sewel Convention provides that the UK Government will not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters in Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament. This is an important part of the devolution settlement, signifying respect for the role of the Scottish Parliament.
"The Scottish Government is committed to considering proposals for Legislative Consent Motions on a case by case basis, and believes that the Sewel Convention will remain a key part of the current constitutional arrangements as long as the United Kingdom Parliament retains its current powers.
"Within the UK Government's new legislative programme announced today, the Government has identified and agreed a number of specific opportunities to legislate for the benefit of Scotland on matters that are within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament and on matters which relate to the executive competence of Scottish Ministers.
"The Bills are:
- Health and Social Care: to include Scotland in improvements and changes to the UK regulatory regime for the healthcare professions
- Climate Change: to provide a statutory UK framework for actions to mitigate climate change by reducing emissions, including setting a statutory target for the reduction of carbon emissions
- Dormant Bank and Building Societies Accounts: to allow access to funds in dormant accounts to invest back into society in Scotland; and confer additional functions on Scottish Ministers to make orders directing the distribution of these funds
"The Scottish Government will be bringing forward memorandums and Legislative Consent Motions for these Bills in line with the requirements of Standing Orders over the next few weeks. It will be for the Scottish Parliament then to determine whether to give or withhold consent.
"Further proposals to legislate for Scotland via an LCM may well develop in relation to other Bills announced today by the UK Government, as their content is finalised. We will continue to work with the UK Government and will bring to the attention of the Parliament any such proposals as soon as they are identified."