Hamish Macdonell - Calman (part 1)

TOMORROW sees the launch of the first report of the Calman Commission.
There had been hopes that Sir Kenneth would set out some definite views in this first, interim, report, after all he has been taking evidence for months on the future of devolution.
But all that is expected is a series of general themes, setting out the areas the commission will look at in more detail.
It will certainly not give ammunition to the fiscal autonomites by recommending full-scale devolution of fiscal powers to Scotland but it should give those who look closely an indication of where the commission will end up, next summer.
One of those who gave evidence was Andrew Hughes Hallett, an economist. He complained bitterly in Scotland on Sunday that the commission had ignored his views and taken a solidly pro-Labour line.
But I understand that the commission was not as enthusiastic about Mr Hughes Hallett's evidence as he was. There was some chat over lunch among the commission members and they agreed that none had been impressed with Mr Hughes Hallett's evidence on the virtues of 'the more the better' in terms of fiscal powers and small countries.
Watch out for allusions to this in the report tomorrow ...