Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15936 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The only way to ensure the interests and values of the people of Scotland are promoted in international organisations is through a government that reflects those values and which commands the support of the electorate.

The Scottish Government would not, for example, engage in illegal international wars, such as the 2003 war in Iraq.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

An independent Scotland will continue to meet EU requirements in this area. However, within these parameters, an independent Scotland would have scope to ensure that codes of principles and regulations reflect Scottish needs and priorities. At present most aspects of competition policy, including mergers and takeovers, are reserved to Westminster by the Scotland Act 1998; an independent Scotland would have the opportunity to design competition policy to meet the needs of Scotland and our businesses.

In an independent Scotland, the remit of the takeover panel would become the responsibility of the body responsible for competition regulation. Our proposals for competition regulation in an independent Scotland were laid out in the discussion paper Economic and Competition Regulation in an Independent Scotland. This can be found online at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/02/1911.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15918 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15951 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Scotland has suffered disproportionate reductions in its defence footprint. Between 2000 and 2012 the total number of service and civilian MOD personnel dropped by 53,510 (just under 20%). The reduction disproportionately affected Scotland, with a drop of 8,800 of just over 35%. Scottish Ministers believe that defence service personnel should have reassurance that they will not face compulsory redundancy during their service contract.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15876 on 30 August 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The Scottish Government is not aware of any impact on the contract to assemble HMS Queen Elizabeth or HMS Prince of Wales that would come from independence.

The Scottish Government will publish its detailed white paper with positive proposals on the opportunities and gains of independence in the autumn. Material on the referendum and the Scottish Government’s proposals for an independent Scotland can be found at:

www.scotreferendum.com, including published papers and speeches. This site will be regularly updated with additional material including the Scottish Government’s white paper in the run up to the referendum.

In delivering these functions, an independent Scotland would ensure continuity of services including transition from the current arrangements to which Scotland currently contributes fully through taxes and fees levied in Scotland by the UK Government. An independent Scotland would not simply replicate UK structures but would develop services based on the needs of Scotland, best practice and the views of our stakeholders.