Second reading of amendment to the Scotland Act 1998 to be held on 11th March 2016

SNP MP Angus MacNeil yesterday presented a 10 Minute Rule Bill in the House of Commons proposing the introduction of Scots Votes for Scots Laws.

In light of the decision to approve English Votes for English Laws in Parliament last month, the senior SNP MP is calling for an amendment to the Scotland Act 1998 to provide a better outcome for Scotland.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said:

“The latest Scotland Bill has failed Scotland and following the approval of English Votes for English Laws, I am calling for an amendment to the Scotland Act 1998.

“We need to keep pace and modernise the House of Commons. We currently have the absurd situation where Scottish MPs are treated as second class and yet English MPs were able to vote on the Scotland Bill. It is time we had Scots Votes for Scots Laws.

“My amendment proposes an amendment to the Scotland Act 1998 to provide us with a solution to the situation, a triple lock in line with the Prime Minister’s pre referendum promise that if Scotland voted to stay in the union, all options of devolution are there and all are possible. Therefore, rather than Westminster rejecting 80 plus devolution amendments supported by 95% of Scottish MPs, we get to a situation where if the Scottish Government wants powers, the Scottish Parliament ratifies it and the majority of Scottish MPs also back the claim of right, then it happens.

“No more crumbs from table, we want the keys to Scotland’s powers currently deposited at Westminster.

“Finally, I am pleased that the second reading of my amendment bill to the Scotland Act 1998 will be held on Friday 11 March 2016.”

Angus MacNeil’s speech on his 10 Minute Rule Bill available to view here:

http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/c47fe975-f209-4191-a707-523a1539f13b?in=15:44:45&out=15:56:30

ENDS