Giving Scotland more powers if it does not vote for independence is not Government policy, William Hague has said.

The offer by the three main party leaders of further devolved powers for Scotland if it votes No in next week's independence referendum is "akin to a statement in a general election campaign", he said.

The Commons Leader added that it was a statement of what David Cameron, Nick Clegg, and Ed Miliband intend to do after the September 18 referendum.

Mr Hague was responding to Tory Christopher Chope (Christchurch) who pointed out that it had been Government policy since 2012 not to offer so called "devo max" in the event of a No vote.

Standing in for the Prime Minister at his weekly question session, Mr Hague told the Commons: "It has been the policy of the Government for some time to be open to further devolution and I gave examples of what we have done in Wales, for instance, during the lifetime of this Government.

"The statements by the party leaders made on this in the last few days are statements by party leaders in a campaign, not a statement of Government policy today but a statement of commitment from the three main political parties, akin to statements by party leaders in a general election campaign of what they intend to do afterwards.

"It's on that basis they have made those statements."

Mr Chope had asked him: "Since 2012 my right honourable friend and I have been supporting the policy of the Government not to offer so called 'devo max' as a consolation prize in the event of a No vote in the Scottish referendum.

"If this is no longer the policy of the Government when and why did it change?

"And what opportunity has there been for this House to express its view?"