The Prime Minister gave a brief interview following Lord Smith’s comments that the Scotland Bill honours the agreement brokered during the Smith Commission.

Question

So, what’s your reaction to Lord Smith’s comments – the SNP wouldn’t agree that the Scotland Bill delivers?

Prime Minister

Well this is a very big day for Scotland. Lord Smith himself has confirmed that the Smith Commission has been delivered in full. A vow was made, a vow was kept. Scotland will have that powerhouse Parliament. Now the debate can shift to how those powers should be used, that’s the debate that now needs to start.

Question

Is more devolution over things like abortion unequivocally a good thing?

Prime Minister

Well Scotland wanted more devolution, the Smith Commission was set up to deliver more devolution and Lord Smith has now unequivocally said that Smith has been delivered. Smith confirms Smith. That’s the big story and it’s an important story because it means the vow about the powerhouse Parliament is a vow that has been kept, in full. Now there can be a debate in Scotland about which powers to use, what to do with taxes, what to do with benefits, that’s the debate that can now take place.