Sir Kenneth Calman to head review into Scottish Parliament powers

Published on Tuesday 25 March 2008 12:55

A BODY which will look at the powers of the Scottish Parliament is to be led by a senior academic, it was announced today.

Glasgow University chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman, the government's former chief medical officer both in Scotland and England, will lead the commission which will review the Scotland Act ten years on from the start of devolution.

The move was discussed and approved today by the Cabinet, said Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

"I am delighted that Professor Sir Kenneth Calman has agreed to chair this body and that it has the support of both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats," said Mr Brown.

"Together we are determined to review the provisions of the Scotland Act in the light of ten years experience while securing Scotland's place with the UK.

Today's announcement saw a concession from Gordon Brown who referred to the new body as a "commission" rather than a review, his previously preferred terminology.

At a press conference in Edinburgh Sir Kenneth denied that the commission's work would be flawed by the fact that it will consider devolution but not independence.

And he denied that Gordon Brown was effectively in the driving seat in deciding the future of devolution.

"I would not have accepted this if I felt this was something being driven from elsewhere," said Sir Kenneth.

Sir Kenneth will not be paid for his work in chairing the commission, which hopes to produce an interim report in November.

Sir Kenneth was flanked by Labour leader Wendy Alexander, Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen, and Tory leader Annabel Goldie for his debut appearance today.

Other members of the commission have yet to be named.

The commission is officially described as an "independent review", supported by both the Scottish Parliament and the Government in London, and its recommendations will be considered by both.

Its terms of reference, in line with a resolution passed by Holyrood, are to review the workings of the Scotland Act and recommend changes that would enable the Parliament to better serve the people and improve financial accountability, while continuing to secure the position of Scotland within the UK.

The Westminster Government will "fully consider" its recommendations.

And as part of the overall process, Chancellor Alistair Darling will later this year produce a "factual paper" on the funding of Britain's devolved administrations.

The first meeting of the commission will take place in April.

Sir Kenneth denied that the commission's terms of reference were hamstrung by not including the issue of independence.

He also said he had never been a member of a political party.

He said the remit had been set in line with the terms of the Holyrood decision and added: "Seventy-seven per cent of the Scottish public don't think independence is the right way forward.

"All of the work over the last few years makes it pretty clear that's not an issue right now.

"Certainly for this commission it will not be an issue we will be discussing.

"There are plenty of other issues that are relevant to Scotland and its institutions and its Parliament which will give us plenty to look at," said Sir Kenneth.

He also told the press conference: "Like the majority of the Scottish people, I very much see myself as part of the UK, but a Scot within that."