BEING part of the United Kingdom empowers Scotland, Tory MPs have insisted, urging Scottish voters to draw back from "breaking this great marriage of nations" or face decades of pain, blame and recrimination.

The sentiments are contained in a parliamentary motion set down by senior Tory backbencher Bernard Jenkin, who chairs the Commons Public Administration Committee, and is supported by 48 MPs, 41 of whom are Conservatives.

The motion, in urging Scots to reject independence, says Scotland as part of the UK can provide far greater security and prosperity for its people than Scotland could ever do on its own because of the UK's global reach as one of the richest and most powerful states in the world.

The MPs argue that far from stifling Scotland, being part of the Union has helped its identity and character to flourish.

They stress that the influence of Scotland's industry, engineering, science, medicine, philosophy, literature, arts and sport has been "incalculable".

The motion goes on to say: "Together, these nations have fought and defeated tyranny and promoted freedom, democracy and the rule of law."

Mr Jenkin and his colleagues claim: "Only together can future generations of the four nations of the Union ensure greater freedom, prosperity and security in the century ahead for all".

The motion adds that they fervently hope the "Scottish people will draw back from breaking this great marriage of nations.".

lDavid Cameron, who is expected to lay out why he is a "Unionist, head, heart and soul" in media interviews this weekend, is to be probed on Scotland and the governance of the UK by MPs - but nearly a month after the referendum has taken place.

The House of Commons Liaison Committee is made up of all the chairmen and women of all the committees.

It is set to question the prime minister about Scotland on October 14 after the Westminster Parliament returns from its party conference recess.