Bruce espouses the evolution of devolution

5.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 10th Jul 2007

Malcolm Bruce challenged the Government on the issue of devolution

Speaking in the House of Commons chamber, Malcolm Bruce MP has reminded the new Scottish Secretary Des Browne of the need for constructive engagement on the issue of devolution.

The MP for Gordon pressed the Secretary after he was asked about the Plenary Joint Ministerial Committee which includes senior representatives from Westminster, Holyrood, and the Welsh and Northern Irish Assemblies, including the Prime Minister.

Mr Bruce said:

"If the plenary committee is to meet, does the Secretary of State agree that it will require the kind of approach to which he says that he is committed, which is to recognise that devolution is a continuing and developing process that needs constructive engagement?

"On the other hand, Scottish Ministers from the Scottish Parliament need to recognise that they do not have a mandate for independence."

Following the Secretary of State's comment that he was not an "evolving devolver" Mr Bruce added:

"'Devolution is a process and not event', as the very first First Minister Donald Dewar asserted nearly 10 years ago. Unfortunately his latest successor as Secretary of State for Scotland does not seem to share the same view. The Liberal Democrats in Holyrood and Westminster will continue to campaign for a constitutional convention which seeks to reassess the division of responsibilities in both Parliaments."