Scotland Office argues principles of Smith Agreement referred only to powers to be devolved under Smith

THE Scotland Office has responded to arguments by former first minister Alex Salmond that under the terms of the 'no detriment' principle in the Smith Agreement full fiscal autonomy could not lead to Scotland having a worse financial position than the rest of UK, saying that his argument misunderstands the Smith Agreement.

Salmond: Principle of 'no detriment' in Smith Commission "would apply whether the transfer of power occurred in a year when Scotland was in a stronger or weaker budgetary position to that of the UK as a whole."

FORMER first minister Alex Salmond has claimed that the principles of the Smith Commission agreement on more powers for Scotland means full fiscal autonomy, as proposed by the SNP, could not lead to financial detriment for Scotland, as pro-union politicians have claimed.