Local MP Moore set to make history

Ally McGilvray • Published 9 Jun 2010 10:00 0 Comments

THE Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore will make history when he addresses the Scottish Parliament next week.

The Minister will appear before a meeting of the Committee Conveners to explain the UK Government's programme for government on Thursday, June 17.

It follows an invitation from the Presiding Officer and comes just a few weeks after the Prime Minister, Conservative leader David Cameron, visited Holyrood and met the First Minister, SNP leader Alex Salmond, in Edinburgh.

The Galashiels-based Liberal Democrat MP, who represents Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk in the House of Commons, will become the first Secretary of State to appear formally before the Scottish Parliament as part of the coalition government's agenda of mutual respect between the parliaments.

Mr Moore, who was only earlier this month drafted into the Cabinet following the resignation of David Laws amid an ongoing row about his expenses, said: "It is surprising that a Secretary of State for Scotland whose job is to make devolution work as well as possible has not appeared formally at Holyrood before now. Scotland has two governments and the closer they work together for our interest, the better."

But he added: "I am looking forward to speaking to members of the Scottish Parliament and also hearing their views on the content of the Queen's Speech and other issues."

The meeting will be held in public and broadcast live. The Minister will appear before the meeting for an hour from at 12.45pm.

The Minister is keen to re-state the Prime Minister's offer of constructive engagement with the Scottish Parliament on an ongoing basis.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Prime Minister are also expected to visit the Scottish Parliament in the near future.

Mr Moore said: "This UK Government has made clear, from the very top and from the very outset, that we want to constructively engage with the Scottish Parliament. I am committed to leading by example by appearing myself and by facilitating the process for other UK Ministers or officials to attend when appropriate."

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