AN OPTION to increase the Scottish Parliament's devolved powers may be included in an independence referendum, First Minister Alex Salmond said today.
There is a "willingness" to put a question on the ballot paper covering proposals put forward yesterday by the Calman Commission, Mr Salmond said.
The commission called for Holyrood to have greater powers over income tax.
And the commission – s
et up by Labour, Tories and the Liberal Democrats to look at the future of devolution – recommended giving the Parliament power over legislation such as drink-driving limits and airguns.
Today Mr Salmond said the Calman Report was "fundamentally weak and flawed in a number of areas".
But he said the public may be given the chance to vote for its proposals – or his preferred option of independence – in a referendum.
"We are going to put forward our case, our question, our option," he said.
"If Calman is the option of the unionist parties then let's have that on the ballot paper, if they're prepared to support a referendum.
"If, as a price of allowing the Scottish people to decide, that both options have to be presented to get the Parliament to allow the people to determine in a referendum their own future, then I'm perfectly happy to have both options on the ballot paper."
Mr Salmond added: "We have a willingness to put a question – another question on the Calman proposals – onto that ballot paper so no one can say their option has been excluded or neglected, and then take it to the people of Scotland and abide by sovereign decision of the only jury that really matters in this country, that's the people of Scotland."
He made the comments at a public meeting held for the Scottish Government's national conversation – an initiative launched in 2007 aimed at stimulating widespread debate on Scotland's constitutional future.
About 170 people attended the meeting in Livingston, West Lothian, this morning.
Mr Salmond announced that his administration will publish on St Andrew's Day – November 30 – "what we've taken out of the national conversation and the framework on which we believe a referendum should be offered to the people of Scotland next year".
A number of policy papers will also be released in the lead-up to this publication.
Mr Salmond told the audience that Scotland is now "moving to a decision".
However opposition parties dismissed the idea of Calman's proposals being included in a referendum.
Labour said this was a "red herring", with a party spokesman saying: "Whenever the SNP are in trouble they suggest a referendum.
They have been running around like headless chickens in their response to Calman.
"Labour has said all along that Alex Salmond's proposal for a referendum is based on a rigged question. It is not a straight choice.
"Labour leader Iain Gray has also pointed out Calman does not need a referendum as it's not about changing the constitutional relationship between Scotland and the rest of the UK. It is an extension of the devolution process.
"Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives agree Calman has to be taken forward quickly."
Tory leader Annabel Goldie said: "This is a cynical attempt by the SNP to play politics with the serious recommendations from the Calman Commission.
"Alex Salmond is clearly worried by the proposals outlined in the report. He knows that independence would not get majority support and he is trying to muddy the waters.
"Having once rubbished Calman and refused to take part, his conversion is nothing more than cynical opportunism.
"Unlike Mr Salmond our position remains unchanged – we will not support Salmond's Referendum Bill."
And a Liberal Democrat spokeswoman said: "We want to deliver real progress. It's surprising that the SNP wants to delay change in this way.
"As no political party opposes Calman, putting it to a referendum would be a pointless waste of taxpayers' time and money that would be better spent getting on with building schools and hospitals."
