Gavin Yates (Edinburgh, GYMedia): The SNP today signalled that a white paper on Scottish independence will be issued in the next fortnight. As predicted by OK, the First Minister Alex Salmond will release the document before the first 100 days for the SNP administration. We also know what the question that will be posed on any future referendum:
The Scottish Parliament should negotiate a new settlement with the British government, based on the proposals set out in the white paper, so that Scotland becomes a sovereign and independent state
The responses would be 'Yes I agree' or 'No I disagree'
Opposition parties against independence have said that the paper is a waste of time due to the overwhelming pro-union majority in the parliament. The SNP have previously indicated that any referendum itself would be held in 2010.
The announcement comes only 24 hours after Salmond and Gordon Brown debated constitutional matters in the House of Commons, with the First Minister reiterating the call for the formalisation of liaison between the two administrations with the resurrection of joint ministerial committees
