Agreement on referendum 'close'

Sep 6 2012

A deal on the staging of the independence referendum is closer to being agreed, according to ministers.

A meeting in Edinburgh between Scotland Office minister David Mundell and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was described as positive.

The talks were held a day after Alex Salmond handed Ms Sturgeon responsibility for the referendum campaign. They pave the way for higher-level talks between Ms Sturgeon and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore next week, and ultimately talks between the First Minister and Prime Minister.

Discussions include the use of a Section 30 order which would transfer power to Holyrood to legislate on the referendum, due in late 2014.

Mr Mundell said: "We had a very constructive meeting with the Scottish Government this morning and the momentum is definitely moving towards getting a deal to deliver a legal, fair and decisive referendum for Scotland.

"We discussed the timetable required to get the Section 30 order in place and agreed officials from both governments will now work to draft a memorandum of understanding on progress to date and to detail the areas which still require work.

"There will be a further meeting between the Secretary of State for Scotland and Nicola Sturgeon next week, which will continue to make headway on the referendum issue."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "This morning's meeting between Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scotland Office minister David Mundell was amicable and productive.

"The Deputy First Minister's suggestion of a meeting between her and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore next week to continue discussions and pave the way for a meeting between First Minister Alex Salmond and Prime Minister David Cameron in the next few weeks was accepted by Mr Mundell. Officials on both sides have been tasked to advance work in a number of areas prior to that meeting."

The UK and Scottish governments have so far failed to agree on key issues such as the question or questions that should be asked or whether 16 and 17-year-olds should be able to vote.