The Commission on Scottish Devolution held its second full meeting today (30 May) in Edinburgh. The Chairman, Sir Kenneth Calman, said:

"This was a useful and productive meeting. I am confident that we now have a clear sense of purpose and direction for the Commission.

"This morning, we received updates on the work of the four existing task groups that have been established to consider particular aspects of the Commission's work. The Commission also agreed to create a new task group on institutional arrangements, which will examine how the administrations and parliaments north and south of the border interact, including in relations with Europe.

"We also had a very thorough and stimulating discussion about the principles that we believe should underpin our approach to this important task. In particular, we agreed as a principle for all the Commission's work that our remit not only excludes the option of independence, but also excludes any option of returning to pre-devolution arrangements. The starting point for all our work is about how to consolidate and build on a decade's experience of devolution within the Union."

He added: "In the afternoon, the Commission listened with great interest to presentations from Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University, and from Professor Charlie Jeffery of Edinburgh University. These provided a lot of useful contextual information and interesting analysis of the issues.

"I was also delighted to be able to welcome Colin Boyd and Jim Wallace to their first Commission meeting – both will, I am sure, make a major contribution, given their experience of working within the devolution structures at a senior level."

Further meetings for the Commission have been arranged at roughly monthly intervals and the next will take place in Edinburgh on 30 June. Some of these meetings are expected to be held at the Scottish Parliament; others (like today's) at the Scotland Office in Melville Crescent. Between the meetings of the Commission itself, a schedule of meetings for the various task groups is being arranged.

The Commission recently issued a general invitation to submit suggestions for topics it should consider – including, in particular, suggestions for possible changes to the boundary between matters devolved to the Scottish Parliament and those reserved to the Westminster Parliament. Interested individuals and organisations are invited to send in suggestions to the Commission secretariat by Friday 13 June.