The UK Government has launched a consultation on facilitating a legal, fair and decisive referendum on whether Scotland should leave the United Kingdom.
The Scottish Parliament has power to legislate on matters that are devolved and has no power to legislate on matters that are reserved to the UK Parliament.
The Union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England is one of those reserved matters. It is the UK Government's view that legislation for a referendum brought forward by the Scottish Government could be challenged by anyone in court and the Scottish Government would lose.
The consultation document on Scotland's constitutional future sets out options for delivering a legal, fair and decisive referendum.
Oral statement on Scotland's constitutional future by the Secretary of State for Scotland.
Opening date of consultation: 11 January 2012
Closing date of consultation: 9 March 2012
Details of how to respond are at the end of the consultation document.
You can write or email using the following details:
Postal address
Referendum Consultation
1 Melville Crescent
EDINBURGH
EH3 7HW
By email