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Cameron pledge on Holyrood powers Cameron pledge on Holyrood powers
(about 4 hours later)
David Cameron has said he plans to hand Holyrood more powers during the first term of a Conservative government.David Cameron has said he plans to hand Holyrood more powers during the first term of a Conservative government.
The Tory leader told the BBC he wanted to look at devolving further tax powers and stated his intention to legislate on devolution within that timescale.The Tory leader told the BBC he wanted to look at devolving further tax powers and stated his intention to legislate on devolution within that timescale.
Mr Cameron also promised not to deliver a cut to the number of MSPs at Holyrood. He also promised not cut the number of MSPs, which had been included in the party's Holyrood manifesto in 2007.
A pledge to reduce the number of MSPs from 129 to 108 was previously outlined in the party's 2007 Holyrood manifesto. Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy described Mr Cameron's position as "all over the place" and "desperately confused".
In an interview with the Politics Show Scotland, Mr Cameron described the Calman report, which reviewed Scottish devolution, as a "very good piece of work" upon which he plans to deliver. In an interview with the Politics Show Scotland, the Conservative leader described the Calman report, which reviewed Scottish devolution, as a "very good piece of work" upon which he plans to deliver.
He said he wanted to look further at reforming devolved tax powers before publishing the plans.He said he wanted to look further at reforming devolved tax powers before publishing the plans.
White Paper We see merit in reducing their number from 129 to 108, as originally intended by the Scotland Act Tory Holyrood manifesto 2007
"We do believe that greater financial accountability for the Scottish Parliament should be part of the future," he said."We do believe that greater financial accountability for the Scottish Parliament should be part of the future," he said.
"What we've said is that we'd produce a White Paper before the Holyrood election. And our plan would be to put that plan into effect.""What we've said is that we'd produce a White Paper before the Holyrood election. And our plan would be to put that plan into effect."
Mr Cameron said he would legislate within the first term of a Conservative government, but stopped short of giving a guarantee.Mr Cameron said he would legislate within the first term of a Conservative government, but stopped short of giving a guarantee.
He did, however, pledge not to impose a cut in the number of MSPs.He did, however, pledge not to impose a cut in the number of MSPs.
He said: "What the Holyrood parliament decides to do is a matter for it.He said: "What the Holyrood parliament decides to do is a matter for it.
"We are not going to unilaterally impose a cut on the Scottish Parliament.""We are not going to unilaterally impose a cut on the Scottish Parliament."
'Basic questions'
However, the Scottish Conservative party's manifesto in 2007 said: "At present, there are too many MSPs.However, the Scottish Conservative party's manifesto in 2007 said: "At present, there are too many MSPs.
"We see merit in reducing their number from 129 to 108, as originally intended by the Scotland Act."We see merit in reducing their number from 129 to 108, as originally intended by the Scotland Act.
"That's more than enough to run the nation, and it will save taxpayers nearly £3m, which they can better spend themselves.""That's more than enough to run the nation, and it will save taxpayers nearly £3m, which they can better spend themselves."
Mr Murphy said: "Only last week their senior backbenchers couldn't answer basic questions on what they think [about the Calman report], and now we see this flimsy and evasive compromise from David Cameron.
"Labour is committed to taking forward and renewing devolution though a strong evidence-based approach that is Calman.
"Our White Paper spells out the details for all to see."