Cameron to offer Scotland more fiscal responsibility

Britains Prime Minister David Cameron wants to offer Scotland control of 70 percent of all money it raises if it votes against independence, it was reported Friday. The Prime Minister is said to be prepared to hand over more fiscal responsibility to Scotland if its population rejects breaking up the Union. Scotland currently controls 6 percent of the revenue it raises, but the Prime Minister wants to raise this to 70 percent, according to reports in The Spectator magazine. David Cameron does not want to give up control over corporation tax, a long-term goal of Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. His offer could include complete control of income tax. Scotland already has power to raise or lower the tax by 3 percent. Cameron is not expected to hand over control of corporation tax to Scotland, however, for fear that the Nationalist government will use it as a weapon against Westminster. First Minister Alex Salmond has long called for control over corporation tax, saying he wants to make Scotland more competitive. Meanwhile, a senior Government source told the Daily Mail today that if "Salmond wants to play with his train set, he will have his chance". The offer would also go some way to meeting Salmonds demands for a two-question referendum, with a "fallback" option of more fiscal powers in the event that Scots vote against separation. The Scottish Parliament could become the heart of an independent Scotland if residents choose to vote in favour of leaving the union The Westminster government is against having that option on the ballot paper but it could offer more fiscal powers as a consolation prize. According to official figures, Scots have 1,000 pounds more spent on them per head by the Government than English residents. The biggest sticking point in the event of a vote in favour of separation would be on who owns North Sea oil revenues. Nationalists argue that the proceeds 13 billion pounds in 2008/09 should go to Scotland. However it is doubtful that the Westminster government would give this up without a challenge. A referendum on independence is due to be held in 2014.