Helen Liddell: Announced consultation

The number of Scottish MPs at Westminster is facing a cut from 72 to about 58.

Some predict it could mean the Scottish parliament losing around 20 seats.

Although the proposed changes could be a number of years away MSPs insist it would make it difficult for the parliament to function properly in future - particularly in finding enough MSPs to staff committees.

Under the Scotland Act, which set up devolution, it was always envisaged that numbers would fall.

And any change of tack would require Westminster to introduce an amendment to the Scotland Act.

The Government is committed to building on the successful and constructive partnership with the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell

Speaking during Scottish Questions at Westminster, Mrs Liddell said: "The Government is committed to building on the successful and constructive partnership with the Scottish Parliament.

"We will review the link between Holyrood and Westminster constituencies in the light of the experience of the workings of the Scottish Parliament.

"To this end I intend shortly to launch a consultation exercise on the size of the Scottish Parliament."

Mrs Liddell said that the devolution settlement has proved successful because it was built in the spirit of consensus and co-operation.

Consultation exercise

She said: "Through this consultation exercise I am seeking to broker that kind of consensus."

Scottish National Party MP Pete Wishart welcomed the announcement.

But he said: "The Scottish Parliament, like any normal parliament, should have the powers and responsibility to determine its own numbers.

"It should certainly not be subject to the machinations of the benches opposite and subject to any political maneouvering of our honourable friends."

The Scottish Parliament, like any normal parliament, should have the powers and responsibility to determine its own numbers.

SNP MP Pete Wishart

Mrs Liddell replied that the devolution settlement had grown out of a consensus which the SNP was not a part of.

"I wish to proceed in the spirit of that consensus," she said.

The consultation process was also welcomed by Viscount Thurso, the new Liberal Democrat spokesman on Scottish affairs.

However, he warned that any significant reduction in MSP numbers would limit the committee system and consultation process which had made Holyrood an "undoubted success".

Mrs Liddell said she did not want to prejudge the result of the consultation.

But she added: "If the consultation does conclude that we should remain at a number of 129 or thereabouts while having a reduction in the number of members of this house, there are real and practical issues that need to be addressed."