1 Introduction
1. In May 2012, we announced a new inquiry into the
defence implications of possible Scottish independence.
Scope of the inquiry
2. We announced the following terms of reference
on 29 June 2012:
- The current contribution of Scotland to the overall
defence of the United Kingdom in terms not only of specific items
but of shared facilities and goals;
- the implications for that defence should Scotland
become independent, including those for personnel currently serving
in the Armed Forces;
- the means and timescale of any necessary separation;
- whether and how any defence shortfall might be
made good;
- the extent to which, and circumstances in which,
an independent Scotland might continue to contribute to defence
goals shared with other parts of these islands and other countries;
and
- the possible shape and size and role of Scottish
defence forces following independence.
3. Our aim was to contribute to the debate about
the implications for the defence and security of Scotland and
the rest of the United Kingdom should the Scottish people vote
for independence. Mindful of the fact that the Committee does
not have representation from the Scottish National Party (SNP),
we sought instead to engage with the Scottish Government directly
to explore its emerging policy proposals. We are grateful for
the willingness of the Scottish Government to contribute to our
inquiry. In our report, we have not made recommendations to the
Scottish Government, but have identified questions which we believe
remain to be answered.
4. Following publication of the Scottish Government's
White Paper on independence, we intend to follow up the questions
raised during our inquiry and will invite the Scottish Government
to respond directly to any outstanding issues which require clarification.
5. As part of our inquiry we held four oral evidence
sessions, and received 20 pieces of written evidence. Members
of the Committee also conducted a fact-finding visit to Scotland
in March 2013. Informal meetings were held at: HM Naval Base Clyde
(Faslane and Coulport); BAE Systems, Scotstoun, Glasgow; Redford
Barracks, Edinburgh; Rosyth Dockyard; and RAF Lossiemouth. We
are grateful to all who assisted us in the course of our inquiry,
to our Specialist Advisers for their advice and insight, and to
our staff.[1]
6. Where appropriate, we have also drawn upon
evidence received, and reports prepared, by other Select Committees,
most notably the Scottish Affairs Committee and the Foreign Affairs
Committee, which have also inquired into the implications of possible
Scottish independence.
Background
7. In May 2011, the SNP won an overall majority of
seats in the Scottish Parliamentary elections and formed the Scottish
Government. In its manifesto, the SNP had stated that it would
bring forward proposals "to give Scots a vote on full economic
powers through an independence referendum".[2]
8. On 15 October 2012, the Prime Minister and First
Minister signed an agreement that committed the UK and Scottish
Governments to work together to allow the Scottish Parliament
to hold a single question referendum on independence before the
end of 2014.[3] On 21 March
2013, First Minister Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP announced that the
referendum would take place on 18 September 2014.[4]
9. According to the Scottish Government's consultation
on proposals for a referendum on independence "a white paper
drawing together the Scottish Government's proposals for independence
will be published in November 2013".[5]
Terminology
10. In keeping with reports produced by other House
of Commons Select Committees and other organisations, in our report
we have used the abbreviation 'rUK' as a shorthand way of referring
to the 'remainder of the UK', the State which, in the event of
Scottish independence, would comprise England, Wales and Northern
Ireland.
1 For the interests of advisers, see Formal Minutes
of the Defence Committee, 13 July 2010, 13 September 2011, 29
February 2012, 11 June 2013, 2 July 2013, and 17 July 2013. Back
2
Scottish National Party manifesto 2011, votesnp.com/campaigns/SNP_Manifesto_2011_lowRes.pdf Back
3
Agreement between the United Kingdom Government and the Scottish
Government on a referendum on independence for Scotland, webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130109092234/http://www.number10.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Agreement-final-for-signing.pdf
Back
4
Scottish Parliament Official Report, 21 March 2013, Col.
18119 Back
5
Scottish Government, Your Scotland, Your Referendum, www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0038/00386123.pdf
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