Alistair Darling has claimed the Conservatives and the SNP are attempting to "out-do themselves on euroscepticism".

Speaking during a session of Scotland Office questions, the Scottish secretary dismissed claims that the government's European policy was in tatters following the U-turn on the proposed constitution.

He said claims that Jack Straw had mounted a behind the scenes move to bounce the prime minister into a U-turn were "over-blown and over-spun".

"We intend to hold this referendum and fight it on the issues. I believe that it is in the best interests of Scotland," he said.

"And I may say that it is in the best interests of Scotland that we remain at the heart of Europe. Scotland depends on its membership of the United Kingdom and being part of Europe."

Consequences

For the opposition, Peter Duncan said the constitution would have "profound consequences for Scotland".

And he rounded on the "left-wing consensus" which was "determined to relinquish our nation's sovereignty".

Meanwhile the SNP's Alex Salmond called on the government to reform the devolution act to stop Scotland being involved in a "subservient" foreign policy with the US.

He said Scotland should be given "direct access to the world" in order to avoid the prime minister's "disastrous foreign policy".

During the monthly session of questions to the Scottish team, Darling also confirmed that the number of Scottish MPs will fall from 72 to 59.

He was quizzed on whether he may seek to delay the introduction of an order which would bring into effect the reduction legislated for in the initial Scotland Act.

"I intend to lay it before the House with a view to implementing it," he told MPs.