Bid for more migration, breath testing and crime proceeds

The paper also lays out the argument for a new Scottish Borders and Migration service, a new points system to encourage more immigrants to come here and simpler firearms licensing.

It makes the point that while Westminster is trying to reduce net migration, the Scottish Government wants to increase migrants and boost its population. The SNP would re-introduce the post-study work visa that was ditched by the UK Government. It allows graduates to work or set up business for 24 months. Other aspects of policing not contained in the paper that pertain to the future of UK-wide agencies such as the British Transport Police and Ministry of Defence Police are already under discussion, partly because of the recent ­creation of Police Scotland.

Brian Docherty, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, yesterday said the organisation was pleased the White Paper praised the calibre of policing in Scotland, but added that it mainly contains previously known plans for officers.

Other pledges in the paper reflect policies the Scottish Government has been pressing Westminster to agree on for years - including legislating for a lower drink-drive limit north of the Border.

The paper states: "Scotland's roads could be made safer through more appropriate ­penalties for drink-driving, and powers for the police to conduct random breath tests any time, anywhere."

Whilst concerns have been raised about Scotland's intelligence and international spy base without the support of GCHQ, MI5 and MI6, the paper sets out plans for an alternative security agency to tackle terrorism and cyber security threats.

And the paper says controls will be in place to ensure the balance of citizens' human rights in relation to such powers and intelligence-gathering. There is little detail, however, on how it would work in practice.

The paper says that initially the expertise for such an agency would be drawn from the rest of the UK with "joint working" in the early period, but this, as with so many of the claims in the document, relies on the agreement of these UK agencies.

The paper claims such UK agencies currently cost about £2 billion per year and that, based on population, Scotland contributed £206m last year.

It states: "We anticipate ­maintaining a comparable level of spending under independence. It will be in the mutual interests of Scotland and the rest of the UK to ensure that this cross-border co-operation continues following independence, supported by Police Scotland and a Scottish security and intelligence agency."

As justice is generally devolved, structurally much would remain the same under independence. However, the paper does make clear that the UK Supreme Court - much criticised by Alex Salmond and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill in the past - would no longer apply.

Instead, the Court Of Session would effectively act as a Scottish Supreme Court and people would be able to apply to the European courts to appeal its decisions. In practice that could mean much lengthier delays in decisions. The delays in the European courts are infamous.

Other areas that are currently reserved include gambling, which would face tougher regulations because the paper says there are more than 30,000 problem gamblers north of the Border.

And rather than requiring European arrest warrants for criminals north or south of the Border, which would be time-consuming, the paper recommends a bilateral agreement for cross-border arrests - something permitted by EU.

The paper states: "Key powers needed to make our communities safer, stronger and more secure are currently controlled by Westminster, including decisions about drugs, firearms, gambling, road safety and the proceeds of drug trafficking.

"To tackle the underlying causes of inequality in our ­society, we need to take decisions about welfare benefits, incentives to employment and overall levels of public expenditure."