Liddell consults on size of the Scottish Parliament

18 Dec 2001

Scottish Secretary, Helen Liddell today issued the consultation document on the future size of the Scottish Parliament, and urged everyone with an interest in how Scotland is governed to send in a response.

Mrs Liddell said:

"The Scotland Act 1998 was created out of a broad consensus, and I believe any proposal to change the Act should be based on similar consensus.

"I have today issued a document "The Size of the Scottish Parliament - Consultation" . In it, I invite views on the number of MSPs with which the Parliament can most effectively do its work, and on the case for retaining or ending the linking of Westminster and Holyrood constituency boundaries as provided in the Scotland Act.

"Responses have to be received by 29 March 2002. I want to ensure that everyone concerned has a full opportunity to have their say.

"The topic is not just for those with specialist or professional interest in constitutional matters; it is one which affects everyone in Scotland."

NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

1. Mrs Liddell announced the consultation in response to a PQ fromRussell Brown MPtoday.

2. The Scotland Act 1998 removed the guarantee of at least 71 Scottish seats at Westminster (there are now 72) and requires the Boundary Commission for Scotland to determine the level of Scottish representation by applying the same electoral quota as in England. (At present, the average Scottish constituency comprises around 55,000 electors, while the average for English constituencies is around 70,000.) The Scotland Act also provides for the Scottish Parliament constituencies to be the same as the UK Parliament constituencies, except for Orkney and Shetland which each have their own MSP.

3. The Scotland Act thus presently provides for an automatic reduction in the size of the Scottish Parliament when the number of MPs at Westminster representing Scottish constituencies is reduced.

4. The Boundary Commission commenced its review in June 2001 and is required to submit its report to the Secretary of State for Scotland between December 2002 and December 2006. It is a matter for the Commission when, within that timescale, it reports.

5. Mrs Liddell initially announced her intention to consult on the size of the Scottish Parliament in the House of Commons on 6 November 2001, in response to a question from John Robertson MP.

6. The consultation document argues that it will be important, in considering whether to retain or end the link between Westminster and Holyrood constituencies, to address the practical issues of how elected representatives could function if they do not have the common identity of constituency boundaries. In particular, views are sought on 3 questions:

  • What would be the consequence of the reduction required by the Scotland Act on the operation of the Scottish Parliament, and in particular on the Committee system, the workload of MSPs, the service provided to constituents and the role of members elected from the list system?

  • What practical effect and issues would arise in their relationship as constituency representatives between MPs, MSPs and councillors if the present number of MSPs were to be retained and non-coterminous boundaries between Westminster and the Scottish Parliament constituencies created, and how could any difficulties be overcome?
  • What are the implications where shared constituency boundaries are not in place for electoral administrators and local authorities in relation to the registration of voters and the conduct of elections, and what would need to be done to ensure the effective and efficient running of the democratic process?

7. There are no plans to review the issue of the number of Scottish constituencies at Westminster. The existing position on the future reduction of the number of MPs representing these constituencies is not therefore part of the consultation. The Government also has no plans to change the electoral system to the Scottish Parliament.

8. The consultation paper is being sent to all MSPs, MPs representing Scottish constituencies, political parties, local authorities, electoral administrators, and various academic and other interested bodies. Comments are also actively sought from the general public.

9. The consultation paper can be found on the Scotland Office website at www.scottishsecretary.gov.uk. Copies can be obtained from the Scotland Office, 1st Floor, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow G2 6AT.

10. Responses should be submitted to the above address, or by e-mail to sizeofscottishparliament@scotland.gov.uk by 29 March 2002.