By Steve Bargeton, political editor

A TROUBLESHOOTING committee to smooth relations between the nationalist Scottish Government and UK ministers took a step forward yesterday.

First Minister Alex Salmond and Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy met in Edinburgh to discuss reviving joint ministerial committees (JMC).

The committees, which have not met since 2002, would be able to help resolve rows between the devolved administrations and UK ministers.

Since the SNP took power last May there have been public disputes with Westminster over whether Scotland should continue to receive council tax benefit if the tax is replaced by local income tax, spending on the London Olympics and defence issues.

Reviving the ministerial committee system was one of the early goals of Mr Salmond. Prime Minister Gordon Brown had asked Mr Murphy to take up the issue earlier this year.

Some in the UK government are concerned the reinstatement of the committees will give Mr Salmond a platform from which to grandstand, but Mr Murphy dismissed any such fears yesterday.

He said, “No, no. I think the committee is a legitimate way for all First Ministers and appropriate ministers to get together to deal with issues of common concern.

“They will be issues of common concern to all devolved administrations, which we can sit around the table and talk about.

“It’s a relationship where we don’t start talking about equals and unequals, but a relationship in which people come together and talk about differences on different issues.”

Mr Salmond is confident the JMC process can be running by the summer.

He said, “I made clear that I want to do all I can to ensure the success of the JMC meetings in supporting structured relationships between the UK government and the devolved administrations.”

He said the committees must “fulfil all of its terms of reference,” including considering disputes.