Draft Scotland Bill 'Falls Short'

The previous UK government's plan to hand more power to Scotland does not meet the spirit or the substance'' of the cross-party agreement on devolution, according to MSPs from across the political spectrum.

The three pro-UK parties made a vow'' of more powers for Scotland in the final days of the independence referendum campaign, which spawned the Smith Commission on Devolution following the No vote.

Smith's recommendations were translated by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition into a draft law for an enduring settlement'' between Scotland and the UK.

But Holyrood's Devolution Committee, which includes Tory and Lib Dem MSPs, has unanimously decided that the draft Scotland Bill falls short of Smith's ambitions.

The Scotland Office, now led by Tory David Mundell following Lib Dem Alistair Carmichael's ejection from government in the election, has pledged to hold a full parliamentary discussion where differing views can be heard''.

Committee convener Bruce Crawford said: The committee believes that the current proposals do not yet meet the challenge of fully translating the political agreement reached in the Smith Commission into legislation.

For example, as we heard in our evidence taking, there is no power for the Scottish Parliament to top up reserved benefits despite that being one of the powers highlighted at the time of publication. The committee also seeks reassurance that any new benefits or top-up benefits introduced in Scotland would result in additional income for a recipient.

The committee is disappointed that the currently proposed legislation sells Smith short.''

He added: In the immediate aftermath of the UK general election, the Prime Minister indicated that he was committed to delivering on the recommendations of the Smith Commission.

As a committee we call on the new UK Government to consider our report - agreed unanimously - as a matter of urgency and to work with the Scottish Parliament to help ensure that we have legislation that achieves the objectives that all five parties on the committee signed up for.''

A Scotland Office spokesman said: The UK Government is committed to delivering more devolved powers through the package outlined by the cross-party Smith Commission.

We will work to bring forward a Scotland Bill on this basis and ensure the Scottish Parliament becomes one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world.

The Secretary of State has been clear there will be a full parliamentary discussion of these issues where differing views can be heard.''

Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone, a member of the committee, said: In light of the general election result the range of further devolution proposed by Smith clearly deserves to be revisited.

It is important that as Scotland continues to debate which powers should be transferred from Westminster that we make a real effort to involve wider society.

The responsibilities of Holyrood should not be decided by party political horse-trading but should instead reflect the aspirations of our people and our communities.''