Scottish Parliament Legislative Competence 2021-11-03
2021-11-03
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Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Discussion about the legislative powers and responsibilities of the Scottish Parliament under the devolution settlement.
What discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament?
I have frequent conversations with Cabinet colleagues about maintaining and strengthening the devolution settlement, ensuring that all legislation clearly reflects the competence and roles of Scotland's two Parliaments and two Governments.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Concern about the Scottish Government's approach to using its current powers effectively, rather than seeking additional ones.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the key issue here is the need for the Scottish Government to exercise their existing powers more effectively, rather than asking for new powers or seeking to go outside the realms of the Scotland Act 1998?
We routinely engage with the Scottish Government on the use of devolved powers. It is in the interests of citizens across the UK for both Governments to operate within their respective powers as set out in the Scotland Act. The Law Officers referred clauses of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill and the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill to the Supreme Court, which agreed with our views on every count.
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