Mark Leishman Esq Deputy Private Secretary to the Princ of Wales Clarence House LONDON SW1A 1BA 13 August 2007 Dear Mark, We spoke and I am enclosing with thi letter a copy of the paper the Scottish Government intends to publish tomorrow on the c nstitutional future of Scotland. Publishing the paper fulfils a commitment made during the ampaign for the Scottish Parliamentary elections in May this year. The paper is entitled C oosing Scotland's Future - A National Conversation, and is sub-titled Independence and fi~sponsibility in the modern world. Arrangements are being made to share the content ofi the document with the UK Government tomorrow shortly in advance of its publication. In advance of that, I enclose an embargoed copy for the Prince of Wales's attention. I The paper discusses both extending ~evolution and independence for Scotland, as well as wider constitutional developments in tie United Kingdom. It has six chapters, covering: i. ii. Hi. iv. v. vi. the historical backgroun to the current Scottish Parliament and the provisions in the Scotland Act 199 that allow the current devolution settlement to be adjusted; areas for possible furth r devolution and how the Scottish Parliament might exercise additional resp nsibilities; the steps that would ne d to be taken to make Scotland a fully independent nation; constitutional developm nts in the rest of the United Kingdom; the legislative processe that would be required for further devolution and independence, including the approach to a referendum on independence; and the Government's appro ch to and expectations of the national conversation on Scotland's future. The paper has two annexes: the fir t summarising the areas currently reserved to the United Kingdom Government and We tminster; the second providing an illustrative draft Bill for a referendum. Rt on Alex Salmond MSP St Andrew's Hous ,Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG Tel phone: 08457741741 You might wish to draw the Prince of ales's attention to the discussion in the paper of the Union of the Crowns of 1603. The p per makes clear that the Union of the Crowns would continue if Scotland were to become n independent nation, and that The Queen and her successors would remain as the ead of State of an independent Scotland (see Paragraphs 3.2, 3.4, 3.25 and 3.26. It is recognised that there would need to be a mechanism for an independent Sco~land and the remainder of the United Kingdom to consult on any matters that arose aropnd the succession to the throne, as these would be of concern to both realms (see paragrjPh 3.15). The paper, therefore, envisages a de~rte in Scotland focussing on the further development, or the repeal, of the Union of 1707, le 'Vingthe Union of the Crowns intact. You might also wish to draw the Pri ce of Wales's attention to the discussion of foreign affairs and defence in an indepe~ dent Scotland, which includes reference to an independent Scotland's future memb rship of the Commonwealth, and other international organisations, and the position of th armed forces after independence (see paragraphs 3.15 and 3.20 - 3.24). The paper als has a section on the United Kingdom's green paper The Governance of Britain (Paragrap ~s 4.1 - 4.12) and possible future development of the British-Irish Council (Paragraphs 4.15 4.17). I 1 t Additionally, His Royal Highness m~ght wish to note the reference to the continuing reservation of the provisions ofthe Actlof Settlement of 1701 (Paragraph 2.24). The paper is intended to initiate a ~ational conversation in Scotland on the country's constitutional future. The Scottish Goy,ernmentintends to facilitate this debate, allowing all views to be expressed, with the aIm of building support for extension of devolved responsibilities, and, in due course, a ~ill during this session of the Scottish Parliament for a referendum on negotiations for an independent Scotland. The First Minister looks forward to di~CUSSingthese issues with His Royal Highness at a convenient opportunity. IAN DONALDSON Private Secretary Rt H n Alex Salmond MSP St Andrew's Hous ,Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG Tel"lhone: 0845774 1741 Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP First Minister of Scotland St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh T: 0845 774 1741 EHl 3DG ~ The Scottish Government Mr Mark Leishman Private Secretary, TRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Clarence House London SW1A 1AA 30 November 2009 Dear Mark YOUR SCOTLAND, YOUR VOICE - A NATIONAL CONVERSATION On 13 August 2007 the First Minister sent to His Royal Highness a copy of the Scottish Government's paper Choosing Scotland's Future, which opened a national debate in Scotland on the constitutional options for the nation. On St Andrew's Day 2009, the Scottish Government will publish a further paper - Your Scotland, Your Voice - and I enclose a copy for your information. The paper sets out in detail the opportunities from different options for constitutional reform, summarising the National Conversation on these issues that has taken place over the last two years. The options examined are: maintaining the current arrangements; extending devolution in line with the recommendations of the Commission for Scottish Devolution (also known as the Caiman Commission); full devolution, with Scotland having greater devolved responsibilities, including fiscal autonomy; and independence. The paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these constitutional options as they apply to a number of policy areas: Scotland's economy and public finances; social justice and welfare; the environment, climate change, transport, fisheries and agriculture; energy; health, education and justice. The paper also considers Scotland's place in the world, particularly its relationship with the United Kingdom and Europe. The First Minister would draw your attention to a number of areas in particular. Paragraph 9.18 envisages an independent Scotland with the Queen as Head of State. Paragraph 9.19 notes that independence would give Scotland the opportunity to remove any religious barriers to succession to the throne. Paragraph 8.16 indicates that an independent Scotland would remain part of the Commonwealth. Box 13 of the paper discusses the British-Irish Council, and notes its value as a model for inter-governmental relationships. The paper considers that such a mechanism would remain valuable if Scotland were to become independent, particularly as the relation to the rest of the United Kingdom would remain of fundamental importance. Finally, paragraphs 8.23 - 8.43 consider the options an independent Scotland would have in relation to defence. The paper sets out the Scottish Government's belief that the people of Scotland should have their say on these constitutional options, and its intention to hold a referendum on this matter in 2010. If His Royal Highness so wishes, the First Minister would look forward to discussing these issues with him at his convenience. KAREN WATT Principal Private Secretary to the First Minister Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP First Minister of Scotland ~ St Andrew's House. Regent Road. Edinburgh T: 0845 7741741 EH1 3DG The Scottish Government Mark Leishman Esq Deputy Private Secretary To The Prince Of Wales Clarence House London SW1A 1BA 25 February 2010 Dear Mark On 30 November 2009, the Scottish Government published the White Paper Your Scotland, Your Voice which set out in detail the opportunities presented by different options for constitutional reform in Scotland. Today, the Scottish Government is publishing a consultation document setting out proposals for a Referendum (Scotland) Bill. I attach a copy of the document for information and a hard copy will follow. The draft Bill set out in the paper provides the framework for the conduct of the referendum and would enable the people of Scotland to have their say on two questions: the first on whether the Scottish Parliament should have more devolved responsibility; the second on whether the Scottish Parliament should also have its powers extended to enable independence to be achieved. The document offers two alternatives for the first question and seeks views on the best option. The First Minister would draw your attention to the references to Her Majesty to paragraph 1.19 and in the second referendum question in the draft ballot paper on page 22 of the document. If His Royal Highness so wishes, the First Minister would look forward to discussing these issues with him at his convenience. Op \ ~mc:ccl~ KAREN WATT Principal Private Secretary to the First MInister The Scottish Parliament, www.scotland.gov.uk Edinburgh EH99 lSP