Dewar: campainging for a double yes in Scotland

Referendums - the Government Names the Day

The Scottish Secretary, Donald Dewar, and the Welsh Secretary, Ron Davies, revealed the dates in written replies to House of Commons questions.

The Scottish referendum on a Scottish Parliament will be held on September 11 and the Welsh referendum on a Welsh Assembly on September 18.

The Scottish referendum date coincides with the anniversary of the victory of the Scottish hero William Wallace over Edward I's English army at Stirling Bridge. In the 1297 battle, which was dramatised in Mel Gibson's recent epic film Braveheart, Wallace routed the English with only half the forces.

"We now hope there can be a full and open debate on the proposals so the Scottish people can come to a considered conclusion in September," said a spokesman for the Scottish National Party.

"The September referendum will give the people of Wales the opportunity to deliver their verdict on the quango-dominated system of government in Wales," said the Plaid Cymru Leader, Dafydd Wigley.

"We believe however, that the referendum should allow Wales the right to vote on an assembly to have the same law-making powers as Scotland," he added.

The Scottish people will be asked two questions: whether or not they endorse the Government's plans for a Scottish Parliament and whether or not they want it to have tax-raising powers.

The Welsh will be asked just one question: whether or not they endorse the Government's plans for a non-tax-raising Assembly.

The Government White Paper on Welsh devolution will be published next Tuesday, July 22, and the White Paper on Scottish devolution will be published 48 hours later on Thursday July 24.

This leaves seven weeks for campaigning in Scotland between the publication of the White Paper and the referendum and a little over eight weeks in Wales.

The referendum dates are subject to the Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill receiving Royal Assent, which should be a formality.