Transfer of Further Powers to Scotland — Financial Arrangements — 3 Feb 2016 at 18:55

The majority of MPs voted against the publication of minutes of negotiations between the Scottish and UK Governments on the financial arrangements for further devolution to Scotland; against agreeing the arrangements before the Scottish Parliament elections.

MPs were considering the motion:

• That this House
• notes the ongoing negotiations between the Scottish and UK Governments in the Joint Exchequer Committee on a revised fiscal framework to accompany the Scotland Bill;
• regrets that, despite both Governments repeatedly stating that the negotiation of a revised fiscal framework would be concluded by autumn last year, no agreement has been reached;
• further regrets the complete lack of transparency with which negotiations have been conducted;
• notes that, until agreement is reached, the measures in the Scotland Bill will not be implemented and the substantial new powers it contains will not be deployed for the benefit of the Scottish people;
• believes that both the UK and Scottish Governments have a duty to ensure that the negotiation of a revised fiscal framework which is fair to Scotland is completed in time for the Scotland Bill to be approved by the Scottish Parliament prior to its dissolution, so that it can use its current and future powers for the benefit of the people of Scotland; and
• calls on the UK Government to publish all minutes and papers from the Joint Exchequer Committee negotiations, and to assure the House that every effort is being made to ensure that agreement on a revised fiscal framework is reached, and the Scotland Bill is passed, prior to the Scottish Parliament elections.

The question rejected in this vote was:

• That the original words stand part of the Question.

Debate in Parliament |