A better-attended than usual Scotland questions has just concluded in the Commons, and has served both to clarify and confuse on the matter of a referendum on Scottish independence.

Lib Dem secretary of state for Scotland Michael Moore made it clear that the Scottish government doesn't currently have the power to instigate a referendum, but that the aim is to provide them with it. "We need to provide it by working with them," Moore told MPs. He confirmed that he had discussed the legality issue with the first minister yesterday. The precise timing of the devolution of this referendum-calling power looks set to be a key weapon for the Westminster government in influencing the date of the referendum.

Both Moore and his Conservative ministerial colleague David Mundell stuck to Cameron's line on the date, repeating at every opportunity that "it's best that a referendum is held sooner rather than later". This phrase came up on almost every policy issue MPs raised, from defence to welfare to inward investment. No matter what the topic, it proves that an imminent referendum is better than one in, say, 2014, as the SNP want.

Iain Stewart MP assisted them by making the link between the "playing politics" of Alex Salmond and a decline in Scotland's economy. He made the comparison to the Quebec independence referendum of 1995, saying that a prolonged period of "constitutional uncertainty" would harm investment and growth.

So we're clear that Westminster wants a referendum as soon as possible and that Scotland doesn't currently have the legal powers to call one to suit its own timetable. What was less clear is exactly who will be able to vote in this referendum - Moore ducked a question on whether Scots living elsewhere in the UK will be able to take part. He also chose not to be at all specific about what kind of timeframe "the sooner the better" might comprise.

The exchanges were largely devoid of the kind of pro and anti-union fervour that the prime minister's remarks provoked elsewhere, with the notable exception of SNP MP Pete Wishart, who as well as getting pretty worked up, called for the referendum to be held in 1914. Not far off, then...

Tags: Alex Salmond, Michael Moore, Pete Wishart, Scottish independence, Scottish Politics