| CHAPTER 11 |
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11.1 This Chapter sets out the timetable for bringing the Scottish Parliament into being.
Referendum
11.2 The Government are committed to giving people in Scotland the opportunity to say whether they support the proposals for devolution. To that end, Parliament is considering legislation which will provide for a referendum to be held in Scotland. Voters will be asked whether they agree that there should be a Scottish Parliament, and whether they agree that such a Parliament should have powers to vary tax.
11.3 The Government believe that it should be the people living in Scotland who determine the future shape of government in Scotland. All those who are entitled to vote at local government elections in Scotland will therefore be entitled to vote at the referendum. Normal arrangements for postal and proxy voting will apply.
11.4 The referendum will be held on 11 September. The detailed arrangements will be similar to those for a General Election, drawing on the experience of previous referendums in the UK. Support for the Government’s proposals from a simple majority of all those voting throughout Scotland will be sufficient. Counting of votes will be organised by local government area. Local results will be made available, but the national result alone will determine how the Government will proceed.
Scotland Bill
11.5 The Government plan, in the event of a positive referendum result, to introduce before the end of the year legislation to implement the proposals set out in this White Paper.
11.6 Preparatory planning and design work will need to be undertaken to enable the Scottish Parliament to be up and running on schedule, but no substantial expenditure will be incurred before Parliament has approved the principle of the legislation.
Arrangements for the first Parliament
11.7 The Government plan that elections to the first Scottish Parliament will take place in the first half of 1999. The Scottish Parliament will prepare for full operation as from the following year.
11.8 The timetable set out above will enable the Scottish Parliament to be completely up and running in the year 2000: a new Scottish Parliament for the new millennium.