Scottish independence: UK minister Michael Moore answers your questions

Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore has answered BBC news website reader questions during a half-hour interview.

In the latest of a series of BBC Scotland referendum webcasts, Lib Dem MP Mr Moore said it was not on his agenda to negotiate independence ahead of next year's historic vote.

He told host Andrew Kerr: "As the secretary of state for Scotland, I'm not in a position to sit here in London - when I'm here a couple of days a week - and negotiate with the rest of the UK against Scotland.

"That is nonsensical for me as a Scot, it is also nonsensical for the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, the foreign secretary and the other great offices of the state who have responsibilities to the whole of the country."

Mr Moore also answered questions on the franchise for the referendum; pensions post-independence; the possibility of more powers in the event of a no vote and whether he would stand for election as part of a new independent Scotland.

The electorate in Scotland go to the polls on Thursday, 18 September, 2014, when they will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"