Political and Constitutional Reform - Ninth Report
Constitutional implications of the Government's draft Scotland clauses

---

Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 16 March 2015.

Contents

Terms of Reference

Summary

Introduction

Background to the inquiry

The Scottish referendum and "The Vow"

The Smith Commission

The draft Bill clauses and the legislative timetable

Our inquiry

1 Permanence of the devolved institutions (clause 1)

Policy

Implementation

Drafting issues

Parliamentary sovereignty and permanence of the Scottish Parliament

Political significance

Alternative approaches

"Contingent entrenchment"

Federacy or formal federation

Our view

2 Entrenching the Sewel Convention (clause 2)

Policy

Implementation

Placing the Convention on a"statutory footing"

Non-legal significance

Alternative approaches

Giving the Convention statutory force

Defining"normally"

Our view

3 Operation of the devolved institutions and elections (clauses 3 to 9)

Operation of the Scottish Parliament and Government (clause 3)

Super-majority (clause 4)

Administration and conduct of elections (clause 5)

The franchise (clause 6)

Political campaign expenditure (clause 7)

Electoral Commission (clause 8)

Boundary Commission for Scotland (clause 9)

Our view

4 Conclusion

Conclusions and recommendations

Formal Minutes

Witnesses

Published written evidence

List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament

---

---

Prepared 22 March 2015