Chamber and committees

Tax affairs between the two countries would be governed by negotiated agreements and these would enable businesses to plan their future operations and also ensure that an independent Scotland is an attractive and competitive place to do business.

The passing of the Scotland Act 2012 already means that very shortly we will have different tax systems in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

The two countries would both have an incentive to negotiate agreements that made tax affairs for companies operating in both jurisdictions as straightforward as possible.

Well-established arrangements exist to ensure effective cooperation between Police Scotland and the Serious Organised Crime Agency, and will continue once the National Crime Agency becomes operational later this year. Police Scotland will continue to work with the rest of the UK as appropriate to ensure that these arrangements operate in an independent Scotland.

The Police Service of Scotland is currently responsible for counter-terrorism policing in Scotland with some specialist capacity provided by partners and this situation would continue post-independence. We do not expect this to give rise to increased costs.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15916 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 main legislation relating to corruption and bribery in Scotland is the Bribery Act 2010. This legislation modernised bribery law across the UK and extended to Scotland with the agreement of the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. The 2010 Act would continue to operate in an independent Scotland at the point of independence. Any changes would be the responsibility of a future Scottish Government.

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.

Building on the responsibilities that it currently discharges, an independent Scotland will have an appropriate range of capabilities to deal with counter terrorism. In the event of independence, the recruitment and training of officers and civilians will be an operational matter for the agencies concerned.

An independent Scotland would comply with the European framework for consumer protection, including cross-border regulations. Following a vote for independence the Scottish Government would work closely with the UK Government to ensure consumers and legitimate businesses in both jurisdictions are appropriately protected.

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’s contribution to the United Nations’ budgets would be agreed as part of the process of moving from being a member as part of the UK to being an independent member.

The Scottish Government will ensure that charities continue to benefit from tax relief on donations. I refer the member to the answer to questions S4W-15868 and 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.