Committee (3rd Day)

Part of Scotland Bill – in the House of Lords at 7:45 pm on 28 February 2012.

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Photo of Lord Sassoon Lord Sassoon The Commercial Secretary to the Treasury 7:45, 28 February 2012

My Lords, again, I will get there in the logical flow of the argument, if my noble friend will permit me. He does not make new points; I have them on board; I will try to address them, but I think we should go through the logical steps of exactly what the construct will be, because this is a critical question. I do not dismiss it.

Why is it so important? The power will enable the whole of an existing tax to be devolved and allows for the creation of a completely new devolved tax. That is clear. It is a power recommended by Calman but which the Government are not in a position to devolve at this time so, to that extent, it is necessary to implement Calman.