MORE than 11,000 people and groups have made submissions to the Smith Commission on further devolution powers for Scotland after a near doubling of public interest since the first meetings took place.

The number of contributions leapt from 6,000 earlier this week to the new figure yesterday, the day after political parties got around the table with Lord Smith, of Kelvin, agreed the principles behind the discussions about a new Home Rule settlement.

The huge public engagement emerged as the former chairman of the Commonwealth Games organising committee met members of the voluntary sector, including the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations [SCVO] and individual third sector bodies to hear their views.

The umbrella body for charities pointed to the response as evidence as the hunger for change towards "powers for a purpose" but Lord Smith reportedly warned those present: "Don't overestimate what I can achieve."

The peer told the gathering: "I cannot eradicate poverty.

"This is a limited brief, but it is not beyond your powers to influence the final legislation." He urged those present to "bombard" MPs and MSPs to make sure their voices are heard in the process as he demonstrated his desire to include their views in spite of the tight political timescale that has been set.

One of the specific issues raised by the sector was the concern that cash levied from banks in the wake of the Libor scandal has been going to the third sector in England and Wales, but not in Scotland.

Lottery funding was also raised and other issues included aspects of transport policy and what to do about the benefits system, which was of particular concern to anti-poverty and disability charities.

The SCVO's own contribution to the debate stressed: "We want to ensure that no decisions are made, no parameters are agreed, and no options ruled out before the full diversity of views are on the table and able to be digested by all concerned. We know that this adds difficulty to an already challenging timetable but we do not think it is credible to proceed otherwise."

The SCVO added: "The range and complexity of the issues outlined at the end of this paper well illustrate the need to establish a periodic review, informed from practical experience."