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Scottish independence: UK government making Union case Scottish independence: UK government say keep 'trusted devolution'
(35 minutes later)
The UK government is setting out its case for the Union, ahead of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. By Andrew Black Political reporter, BBC Scotland
Westminster ministers say they will explain in detail why people and companies in Scotland benefit from its place in the UK. Scottish devolution has established itself as a trusted form of government that would be lost under independence, UK ministers have said.
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore will also urge SNP ministers to bring forward their case for independence. The comments came as the Westminster government published the first in a series of papers on the issue.
Mr Moore said the Scottish government had become too caught up in the "process" of the vote. Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said independence was an end, rather than an extension, to devolution, which came into being in 1999.
He argued the constitutional debate had entered a new phase, where people wanted to hear more facts. The Scottish government is staging its independence referendum in autumn 2014.
The Scottish secretary said Scotland, as part of the Union, meant companies could grow under a large, single market with no trade barriers or restrictions. In what was the first in a series of papers on the issue, Mr Moore outlined the UK argument along with Advocate General Lord Wallace - a former Scottish deputy first minister - and Scotland Office minister David Mundell.
He pointed out that two-thirds of Scottish exports go to the rest of the UK.
In what will be the first in a series of papers on the issue, Mr Moore will outline the UK argument along with Advocate General Lord Wallace - a former Scottish deputy first minister - and Scotland Office minister David Mundell.
In support of its case, the UK government has published in full the legal opinion it received on the international law aspects of Scottish independence.In support of its case, the UK government has published in full the legal opinion it received on the international law aspects of Scottish independence.
The experts consulted by Whitehall, Prof James Crawford of Cambridge University and Prof Alan Boyle of Edinburgh University, concluded that Scotland would become a new state after independence.The experts consulted by Whitehall, Prof James Crawford of Cambridge University and Prof Alan Boyle of Edinburgh University, concluded that Scotland would become a new state after independence.
They said the remainder of the UK would be considered the "continuing state" under international law.They said the remainder of the UK would be considered the "continuing state" under international law.
'Continuing state' Speaking in Edinburgh, Mr Moore said: "No matter which side of the debate you are on, we all recognise this will be a momentous choice.
Alistair Darling of the Better Together campaign welcomed publication of the views of Prof Crawford and Prof Boyle. "It's a choice that is too important to get wrong and a choice that we must make on the basis of evidence, not assertion.
He said: "This is a formidable legal opinion from two internationally respected lawyers. "To do that, we all need to be able to consider the facts."
"Their opinions have to be taken very seriously and they just can't just be dismissed by the nationalists." The Scottish secretary said devolution had allowed Scotland to make key decisions in areas like schools, policing and the health service.
The Scottish government has pointed out that other lawyers have taken a different view and claimed the legal opinion does not help the case for the Union. He added: "Unless we understand what we have - how our nation contributes to and benefits from being part of our United Kingdom, we cannot begin to consider the implications of independence.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "For the UK government to argue that the UK will be a 'continuing state' and that an independent Scotland would have no rights betrays a near colonial attitude to Scotland's position as a nation and gives lie to any suggestion that they see Scotland as an equal partner in the UK. "Our first paper in this series makes the case that devolution - Scotland's constitution today - offers our country the best of both worlds. We're a strong proud nation within a modern, devolved country."
"It also raises a very important question for the UK government - if they are prepared to lay claim to the assets of the UK are they also prepared to take on all of its liabilities, such as the UK national debt?" "Too often we have taken for granted what we have, so, in our paper, we set out a full and detailed examination of the devolution settlement that we have in the UK."
Currency union Mr Moore said the devolved Scottish Parliament had become an "established and trusted form of government in Scotland", adding: "Independence would end devolution - it is not an extension of it."
Meanwhile, the Fiscal Commission Working Group (FCWG) established by the Scottish government is to publish its paper on the monetary framework for an independent Scotland.
Chaired by Crawford Beveridge, its role is to advise the Scottish government on monetary policy, financial stability and fiscal policy.
The FCWG is expected to support the idea of an independent Scotland retaining Sterling as its currency.
The Scottish government is publishing a White Paper outlining the substantive case for independence towards the end of the year.The Scottish government is publishing a White Paper outlining the substantive case for independence towards the end of the year.
A bill setting out the terms of the autumn 2014 referendum - including the precise date - is expected to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament in March.A bill setting out the terms of the autumn 2014 referendum - including the precise date - is expected to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament in March.