No plans to remove 'nuclear veto'

There are already plans for new nuclear reactors in England

There are no plans to remove Scotland's powers to effectively veto the building of new nuclear power stations, Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy has said.

Under devolution, planning powers can be used by the Scottish Parliament to prevent large-scale building projects.

In its submission to the Calman Commission on devolution, the UK Government warned this could undermine its energy policy.

But Mr Murphy said it was important Scotland retains control over planning.

He told the BBC's Newsnight Scotland programme: "The Scottish Parliament has power over planning policy and that's important that they have that power.

"But the UK Government has power over energy policy - that's the established devolution settlement.

"I think what we're saying today in our evidence is that we have to look to see if we can have better working relations so that both parliaments and both governments can work in the interests of Scotland."

In Westminster's written submission to the Calman Comission, individual Whitehall departments gave their experience of devolution.

Although they do not make formal recommendations, the most commonly expressed view is that the status quo works well and there are no calls for major change.

"Nonetheless, the UK Government remains open to proposals ... to adjust the settlement further to strengthen devolution," said the report.

However, a spokesman for First Minister Alex Salmond said: "The Labour Government are offering nothing, will try to take powers back if they can, and are rendering the whole Calman exercise farcical."