 | 'The UK Parliament of course remains sovereign.' George Robertson 27th June 1996. |  |
| 'The UK Parliament of course remains sovereign.' George Robertson 27th June 1996. | |
The Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Hon Michael Forsyth MP, welcomes Mr Blair to Scotland today and said it would be very helpful if he could answer the following ten questions:-1. How could you hold a referendum within weeks of a Labour Government, when it requires legislation which on a constitutional issue cannot be guillotined?
2. If you remain committed to a tax-raising parliament, why have you rejected our suggestion of holding a referendum if a Bill were ever approved by Parliament so that the endorsement of the people is sought for a specific proposal? And what exactly will the precise wording of the questions be?
3. What would Labour do if the result of the referendum rejected the parliament?
4. What would Labour do if the people of Scotland agreed to a parliament but rejected the Tartan Tax. Your party has spent the last six years telling the people of Scotland that a parliament without tax-raising powers would be unworkable and irrelevant. Would you implement a policy which your own party has so savagely repudiated?
5. Why are the Scottish people not being consulted on your proposals to have gender quotas and use proportional representation as the method of election?
6. Why is there to be no referendum question on your dangerous plan to prevent the House of Lords from considering and revising Scottish legislation?
7. What plans have Labour got to consult the people of England on the consequences for them of a tax-raising parliament in Scotland. And, in particular, on the role of Scottish MPs in voting on purely English matters as a result of devolution to the Scottish parliament?
8. When are you going to answer the West Lothian Question?
9. Do you agree with the Liberals, the Constitutional Unit and some of your own MPs that a Scottish parliament would mean a reduction in the number of Scottish MPs and the loss of the office of Secretary of State in Cabinet?
10. Would it be helpful if we amended Standing Orders to allow you to come to the Scottish Grand Committee next Friday to explain yourself in Scotland as you seem to have taken charge of deciding Labour’s policy in Scotland?
p.s. Are you sure you have properly thought this through?
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