LETTER: Let Scots decide on devolution - now

Sir: The Prime Minister has said the issue of Scottish devolution "certainly would need a referendum" ("Major hits at devolution `danger'", 31 December). Why doesn't he arrange one?

The issues are now clear cut: the Government's "taking stock" is completed; the details of the Opposition's proposals are being finalised. Given his parlous majority, Mr Major is unlikely to have an overcrowded parliamentary programme before the general election and he could expect Opposition support in legislating for a Scottish referendum.

If Mr Major genuinely believes that the case against devolution is so overwhelming as to merit such phrases as "teenage madness" that is "not thought through", then surely he can have nothing to fear in putting the choice to the Scottish people during this Parliament.

Yours faithfully, MALCOLM K. SAVIDGE Deputy Leader Aberdeen City Council Aberdeen 1 January