text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Scotland Bill - New Clause 31 - Ability of Scottish Parliament to Create New Benefits
  
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  @ MP voted aye to give the Scottish Parliament the ability to create new state benefits in Scotland.
   @ MP voted no against giving the Scottish Parliament the ability to create new state benefits in Scotland.
  
  The majority of MPs voted against giving the Scottish Parliament the ability to create new state benefits in Scotland.
  
  MPs were considering the Scotland Bill[1]
  
  The proposed new clause rejected in this vote was titled ''New Benefits'' and stated:
  
  :In Section F1 of Part 2 of Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998, in the Exceptions, after exception 8 (see section 23 above) insertâ
  
  :âException 9
  
  :A benefit not in existence at the relevant date provided entitlement to or the purpose of the benefit is different from entitlement to or the purpose of any benefit that isâ
  
  : (a) in existence at the relevant date,
  
  : (b) payable by or on behalf of a Minister of the Crown, and
  
  : (c) otherwise a reserved benefit.
  
  :For the purpose of this exceptionâ
  
  :âthe relevant dateâ means the date of introduction into Parliament of the Bill that becomes the Scotland Act 2015;
  
  :âreserved benefitâ means a benefit which is to any extent a reserved matter.â
  
  The rejected clause would have added to the list of exceptions from powers "reserved" to the UK Parliament and not devolved to Scotland.
  
  An explanatory note accompanying the rejected new clause stated: 
  
  :This New Clause broadens the circumstances under which the Scottish Parliament can create new benefits, as recommended by the Smith Commission.
  
  
  
  * [1] [http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/scotland.html Parliament's webpage on the Scotland Bill]
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  