Dalyell to campaign against devolution

London - Rebel Labour MP, Mr Tam Dalyell is to argue his anti-devolution case on television three days before the September 11th…

London - Rebel Labour MP, Mr Tam Dalyell is to argue his anti-devolution case on television three days before the September 11th referendum, opposite Scottish Secretary, Mr Donald Dewar, and Scottish National Party leader, Mr Alex Salmond.

Mr Dalyell, MP for Linlithgow, who is a long-standing opponent of devolution, said he had not cleared his TV appearance with his party, and added, "I think it's clear that people are entitled in a referendum to express their own views. After all, a referendum is a referendum - and there comes the matter of free speech."

He was arguing, he said, for a "No" vote to the first question on ballot papers - on whether there should be a devolved parliament. But if there was to be a Scottish parliament, it should be responsible for raising its own taxes, as a parliament without tax powers was ineffective.