§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the security of funding for(a) accommodation and (b) services for the Scottish Assembly over the next (i) 10 and (ii) 20 years [9927]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 30 July 1997]: The Government's proposals for the funding of the Scottish Parliament are set out in the White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament", which was published on 24 July.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of the division of responsibility between(a) a Scottish Assembly and (b) the Westminster Parliament on the capacity of (i) the Privy Council and (ii) other courts to evolve a corpus of consistent rulings in the legislative competence of the Assembly. [11732]
§ The Prime MinisterThe propose procedures for identifying and resolving problems over the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament are set out in the White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament" at paragraphs 4.15 and 4.17. The Government believe that problems would normally be resolved amicably, but there would be procedures for establishing the competence of the Scottish Parliament both before and after legislation is considered by it; and there would be provision for unresolved disputes about vires to be referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. There is no reason why the courts should not evolve a consistent body of rulings.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the areas of Scots law which would be subject to the Scottish Parliament and not subject to Westminster. [11802]
§ The Prime MinisterThe White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament" makes clear that all matters that are not specifically reserved would be devolved and would therefore fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament. A list of such matters is included in chapter 2 of the White Paper. Chapter 3 summarises the matters which would be observed.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister if future United Kingdom legislation will include United Kingdom extent provisions following the introduction of a Scottish Parliament. [11801]
§ The Prime MinisterFollowing the introduction of a Scottish Parliament, United Kingdom legislation would continue where appropriate to include clauses defining its territorial extent.
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§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of a Scottish Parliament on the current judicial structure. [11803]
§ The Prime MinisterIt is made clear in the White Paper "Scotland's Parliament" that responsibility for the criminal justice system and prosecution system for the civil and criminal courts in Scotland would be devolved to the Scottish Parliament. It would be a matter for the Scottish Parliament to determine how it discharges that responsibility, although I would expect it to pay full regard to the independence and standing of the judiciary. The two most senior judicial appointments in Scotland—The Lord President of the Court of Session and the Lord Justice Clerk—would however continue to be made by the Queen, on my advice, but on the basis of nominations from the Scottish Executive.