Businessmen and academics examine enhanced powers

A SERIES of business leaders, top academics and government ministers are among a group of expert witnesses appearing before a Holyrood committee charged with looking at enhanced powers for the Scottish Parliament.

The experts, who include Glasgow-based engineering tycoon Jim McColl and UK Tory Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury minister David Gauke MP, will give evidence to Holyrood’s Scotland Bill committee in a series of evidence sessions during the next three months.

Other high profile figures include Sir Kenneth Calman, who is due to give evidence to MSPs today on the proposals from the body he chaired, which helped pave the way for the UK government’s Scotland Bill. Sir Kenneth, a former Chief Medical Officer of Scotland, will be quizzed by MSPs about enhanced income tax and borrowing powers in the Scotland Bill.

Meanwhile, other prominent Scots set to give evidence at the committee include leading QC Paul McBride, who numbers among his client Celtic Football Club.