The Smith Commission today issued “Report of the Smith Commission for further devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament”, which comprises a recommendation that The Crown Estate in Scotland should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
“Responsibility for the management of the Crown Estate’s economic assets in Scotland, and the revenue generated from these assets, will be transferred to the Scottish Parliament. This will include the Crown Estate’s seabed, urban assets, rural estates, mineral and fishing rights, and the Scottish foreshore for which it is responsible,” the Smith Commission ‘s document reads.
The report further says that the responsibility for the management of Scottish assets will then be passed on to local authority areas such as Orkney, Shetland, Na h-Eilean Siar or other areas who seek such responsibilities.
The Crown Estate responded to the recommendation by saying:
“We note the recommendations of the Smith Commission, in particular that management of Crown Estate assets in Scotland should “be transferred to the Scottish Parliament.”
“We will help inform how this recommendation can work in practice as it moves through to legislation.
“The Crown Estate has continued to deliver successfully against the commercial remit set for it by the UK Parliament, delivering over £2bn for the public finances over the last 10 years. The outcome of the Smith Commission recognises a clear issue of principle in Scotland regarding direct control of the activities and assets for which The Crown Estate is currently responsible.
“Until the legislation has been enacted and a transition plan is complete, we will continue to manage our business in line with our existing remit, values and strategy and will keep customers, staff and other partners informed throughout.”
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Source: Smith Commission/The Crown Estate