Party in Edinburgh following the White Paper's publication

Battle Joined Over Scots Devolution

The campaign is aimed initially at the crucial referendum on September 11, during which the Scottish people will be asked to give their views on two points: do they want a parliament in the way the Government has set out, and do they want it to have the power to vary taxes?

Donald Dewar: taking campaign to the isles

Ministers are delighted at the way they feel their devolution proposals have been received in Scotland and will now concentrate on planning tactics for winning support for them in the referendum campaign ahead.

Over the next few days, the Scottish Secretary, Donald Dewar, is expected to visit the Outer Hebrides and Orkney as part of the effort to ensure that the pro-devolution message is carried to all parts of Scotland.

The Liberal Democrats are expected to lend their support and resources to the cross-party Scotland Forward group, which is campaigning for a double Yes vote.

The Scottish Nationalists are expected to follow suit, though not before the party is consulted at a special conference in Perth. They have welcomed one of the announcements in the Government's White Paper -- that a minister in a Scottish parliament would be able to represent Scottish interests in the European Union.

The Conservatives, who remain implacably opposed to devolution, are backing the 'Think Twice' campaign, which will try to persuade Scots to reject the proposals. They say they are unhappy that the minister would not be accountable to Parliament at Westminster. They plan to raise the issue in the Commons next week.