AN SNP MP has corrected Michael Gove after he said water and Scotland's NHS won't be affected by the Tory Internal Market Bill.
The legislation, which had its second reading in Holyrood tonight, gives ministers the power to fund infrastructure and development anywhere in the UK, which the SNP say is an attack on devolution because areas such as transport and regional development are reserved powers held by Holyrood.
Gove told the Commons the Bill is "not a threat to devolution".
He went on to say that Ian Blackford's speech was "true to the John Lewis guarantee. No argument was knowingly undersold.
"But in his gusto to make his arguments .... he obscured one or two details. He talked about the threat to water in Scotland but if you look at the Bill it's clear that water is excluded from the provisions of the Bill. He talked about the threat to the NHS - a UK institution.
"If you look at the schedule to the Bill you will see that healthcare services are excluded. I'm perfectly happy to spend more time with the right honourable gentleman because it is always a pleasure to take him through this Bill to calm him and to point out the ways in which is strengthens the Union but also respects devolution [which] it does indeed respect."
READ MORE: Brexit: Joanna Cherry praises Ed Miliband for making PM 'look a fool'
Alison Thewliss, who represents Glasgow Central, said Clause 46 of the legislation does mention that water and healthcare in Scotland will be affected.
She said: "Michael Gove claims there's no undermining of Scottish Government powers in areas such as water or health. The UK Government are seeking to take back decision making powers on a range of devolved areas under Clause 46 of the UK Internal Market Bill. It's right there."
Michael Gove claims there's no undermining of Scottish Government powers in areas such as water or health.
— Alison Thewliss (@alisonthewliss) September 14, 2020
The UK Government are seeking to take back decision making powers on a range of devolved areas under Clause 46 of the UK Internal Market Bill. It's right there. pic.twitter.com/U9zUKRMUfe
The legislation covers "providing infrastructure at places in the United Kingdom". It says that infrastructure includes water or sewerage and health.
SNP MP Pete Wishart said Clause 46 of the Bill allows the UK Government to “legislate directly in devolved responsibilities,” adding: “It’s a mechanism designed to bypass the Scottish Government.”
READ MORE: Brexit: SNP hit out at Tories for 'bypassing the Scottish Government' with power grab
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel