Scotland Bill — New Clause 3 — Powers of the Scottish Parliament — 15 Jun 2015 at 22:09

The majority of MPs voted against giving the Scottish Parliament powers over all areas except the constitution, foreign affairs, public service, defence, treason and pension changes which would affect the UK's liabilities.

MPs were considering the Scotland Bill^[1]

The new clause rejected in this vote stated:

• Transfer of reserved matters
• (1) Schedule 5 (which defines reserved matters) to the Scotland Act 1998, has effect with the following modifications.
• (2) In Part I (general reservations) omit paragraph 6 (political parties).
• (3) Part II (specific reservations) is omitted.
• (4) Insert Part IIA (UK pensions liability) as follows—
• Part IIA
• UK Pensions liability
• The consent of the Treasury is required before the enactment of any provision passed by the Scottish Parliament which would affect the liabilities of the National Insurance Fund in respect of old age pensions.”
• (5) In Part III (general provisions) the following provisions referring to Part II of the Schedule are omitted—
• (a) paragraph 3(2);
• (b) paragraph 4(2)(c)

Explanatory text accompanying the new clause stated:

• This Amendment would allow the Scottish Parliament to make provision for the registration and funding of political parties, but would otherwise retain the Part I reserved matters covering the constitution, foreign affairs, public service, defence and treason. It would entirely remove the remaining reservations over financial and economic matters, home affairs, trade and industry, energy, transport, social security, regulation of the professions, employment, health and medicines, media and culture and other miscellaneous matters. The consent of the Treasury would be needed for any changes in old age pensions which would affect the liabilities of the National Insurance Fund.

==

• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Scotland Bill

Debate in Parliament | Source |