Third Reading

Part of Scotland Bill – in the House of Lords at 4:45 pm on 24 April 2012.

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Photo of Lord Kerr of Kinlochard Lord Kerr of Kinlochard Crossbench 4:45, 24 April 2012

My point was not about process-I do not want to get into questions of process-but the distinction is one without a difference. If Scotland had full independence on the prospectus in the Scottish Government's consultation paper, it would still be using the United Kingdom currency. In my judgment, when the Scots applied for membership, the European Union would not insist that they adopt the euro forthwith, but it would probably ask for some sort of undefined commitment at a future date. Therefore, there would still be the problem of fiscal autonomy alongside continuing monetary integration. That problem would exist in a scenario of either devo-max or independence, so it needs to be addressed.