Scottish independence: Westminster and Holyrood ‘close to a referendum deal’, says Michael Moore

Mr Moore is set to argue that there is a cross-party consensus for a single-question ballot,  despite strong signals from First Minister Alex Salmond that he would be prepared to back a referendum that includes a second “devo-max” option.

SNP ministers have dropped hints that they would argue for a second question, despite their official position favouring a single option.

In a speech to the National Business Convention in Edinburgh, Mr Moore will also attempt to pre-empt the possibility of the Scottish Government pressing ahead with a vote that could be challenged in the courts.

Mr Moore will underline the UK government’s commitment to agreeing a so-called Section 30 Order with the Scottish Government, a move that would transfer powers over a referendum from Westminster to Holyrood.

“I am clear it is in the interests of both governments that we agree a Section 30 Order that will empower the Scottish Parliament to hold a referendum,” Mr Moore will say.

“That is the route to a legal referendum. And that, crucially, is in the interests of the Scottish people, too. They need to know the process and outcome of any referendum will be clear, certain and beyond legal challenge.

“Even the Scottish Government acknowledge that the Scottish Parliament’s existing power to pass an independence referendum bill is questionable. The Scottish Government itself has said it is willing to work with us to put that referendum effectively beyond legal challenge.”

On the issue of the number of questions, Mr Moore will say: “The Scottish Government was elected on the promise of a single-question independence referendum.

“All of Scotland’s political parties support that and the UK government will work with the Scottish Government to deliver it.”

Although a date has yet to be confirmed, the Scottish Secretary expects to meet the First Minister in the next few weeks to clear the way for an agreement by late October – the deadline that the UK government says has to be met if Mr Salmond’s plan for an autumn 2014 poll is to go ahead.

Last night, a spokesman for Bruce Crawford, the SNP Cabinet secretary for parliamentary business said: “Scotland’s referendum in autumn 2014 must be made in Scotland and decided by Scotland’s Parliament and, as we have always said, we have absolutely no objection to a  Section 30 Order in regard to the referendum, with no Westminster strings attached, which could be agreed very shortly.

“It is only right that matters such as a ‘more powers’ option and votes for 16 and 17-year-olds are carefully and properly considered, which is exactly what the Scottish Government are doing.”