Somerville: Joint Statement from Secretary of State and First Minister

19 March 2009

JOINT STATEMENT FROM FIRST MINISTER ALEX SALMOND AND SCOTTISH SECRETARY JIM MURPHY

AGREEMENT TO END SLOPPING OUT ANOMALY

Following intensive discussions between officials, we have reached agreement in principle to a quick and practical solution to the anomaly exposed by the House of Lords judgement in Somerville.  

We will work together to deliver, first, a one-year time-bar in Scotland by the summer and, later, the UK Government will seek the support of the UK Parliament to bring forward a comprehensive solution extending the same protection to the devolved administrations in Wales and Northern Ireland putting all of the devolved jurisdictions on a consistent footing and consolidating the changes to the Scotland Act.  

Our joint aim is to restore the situation to what it was before this anomaly became apparent, and to protect the public interest in Scotland.  

The UK Government have sought the views of the Commission on Scottish Devolution who have confirmed that they support this approach.  The Scottish Government have confirmed all party support in the Scottish Parliament to bring forward the required legislation before the summer recess.