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Scottish independence: 'Modest progress' at Moore Salmond talks Scottish independence: 'Modest progress' at Moore Salmond talks
(40 minutes later)
First Minister Alex Salmond says he and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore have made "modest progress" at independence referendum talks.First Minister Alex Salmond says he and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore have made "modest progress" at independence referendum talks.
The pair met in Edinburgh to try to iron out the differences between the Scottish and Westminster governments over how the vote should be run.The pair met in Edinburgh to try to iron out the differences between the Scottish and Westminster governments over how the vote should be run.
Mr Salmond said no agreement on "substantive issues" had been reached and that discussions would continue.Mr Salmond said no agreement on "substantive issues" had been reached and that discussions would continue.
He said he was due to meet Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday.He said he was due to meet Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday.
The first minister said there remained two main areas of disagreement between the two governments - over the number of questions to be asked and whether 16 and 17 year-olds are allowed to vote in the ballot. The first minister said there remained two main areas of disagreement between the two governments - over the number of questions to be asked and whether 16 and 17 year-olds would be allowed to vote in the ballot.
He said issues over the timing of the referendum and the role of the Electoral Commission in organising the vote had been "more or less settled".He said issues over the timing of the referendum and the role of the Electoral Commission in organising the vote had been "more or less settled".
Public consultations
The SNP wants to hold the vote in autumn 2014, while the UK government had previously said it wanted it to take place earlier.The SNP wants to hold the vote in autumn 2014, while the UK government had previously said it wanted it to take place earlier.
Both governments are keen to sort out the arrangements for the referendum as soon as possible and move on to a debate on the issue of independence itself. Mr Moore said the Scottish government had indicated to him that it was considering holding the referendum in September or October 2014.
The UK government says new constitutional powers must be devolved to Holyrood to make the referendum legally binding, but Scottish ministers have previously accused the coalition of trying to dictate the terms of the ballot. Public consultations
SNP ministers, who argue they could hold a valid consultative referendum without the powers, said they would welcome such a move from Westminster, but warned the coalition not to "attach strings" to the offer. Mr Salmond said: "In terms of the timing my sense is that the timing is more or less accepted.
"On the role of the Electoral Commission it was clarified today that what is being suggested is no different from the role of the Electoral Commission towards the Westminster parliament. If that is the case, I don't see any big disagreement there.
"I think the issues of real contention and disagreement is how open minded we should be to a second question, and also on the question of 16 and 17-year-olds voting."
Both governments are currently running separate public consultations on the referendum issue.Both governments are currently running separate public consultations on the referendum issue.
Following the meeting, Mr Salmond also said that any agreement on resolving areas where the two administrations differed would only come after the public had had its say on the referendum plans. Following the meeting, Mr Salmond also said that any agreement on resolving the areas where the two administrations differed would only come after the public had had its say on the referendum plans.
He added: "What is important is that we listen to what the people have to say. We are taking a huge decision on Scotland's future.
"But it is right and proper, in that, as as you formulate the question, or questions to be asked, who gets to vote, that you listen to the views expressed."