West Lothian Question

Johnny Hates Jazz · 18-01-2006, 09:59 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4620576.stm

Scots and Welsh MP vote ban bid - on English only issues

Lord Baker says the laws are need to hold the UK together
Scottish and Welsh MPs would be banned from voting on issues which only affect England, under proposed new laws.
The so-called West Lothian question has plagued Westminster since before Labour devolved power to national assemblies.

Labour rebels were angered last year when the government relied on the votes of Scottish MPs to get student top-up fees and foundation hospitals through.

Ex-Tory home secretary Lord Baker, who is introducing a bill outlining a ban, said the situation was "unacceptable".

'Unfairness'

Labour's reduced majority since the general election means it could be relying more heavily on Scottish and Welsh votes to get controversial legislation on to the statute books.

But Lord Baker - who served in Margaret Thatcher's Cabinet - said: "There should be no legislation without representation."

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The supremacy of Westminster has been divided.

"You set up an institution in Scotland - the Scottish Parliament - with legislation-making powers and the government is putting a Bill through Parliament to give the Welsh Assembly virtually the same powers.

"That changes everything, because we have devolved to Scotland control of domestic issues".

And he warned: "The only way we are going to keep the UK together is by not accepting a manifest unfairness for England."

Devolved power

Labour's Tam Dalyell first raised the West Lothian question, named after his then constituency, in the 1970s.

The problem was highlighted last year, when the government's proposal for a partial ban on smoking in English pubs passed the committee stage in the Commons by a single vote from a Scottish MP, to whose constituency the legislation did not apply, Lord Baker said.

Under the Conservative peer's proposals, the Speaker would prevent MPs and peers from voting on bills, or parts of a bill, that did not apply to their constituents.

These would normally be in areas such as health, education and transport where power has been devolved to Cardiff or Edinburgh.

It would not affect UK-wide legislation, such as defence, finance or immigration policy.

England-only votes at Westminster votes were backed by David Davis during his failed bid for the Tory leadership but the policy has not been adopted by victor David Cameron.

But Liberal Democrat leadership contender Simon Hughes has said, if elected, he would prevent MPs not sitting for English seats voting on matters only affecting England.

Lord Baker's Bill, which stands little chance of becoming law without government backing, will be debated in the Lords in February.

Parliament (Participation of Members of the House of Commons) Bill [HL]
Back to top
3.06 pm

Lord Baker of Dorking: My Lords, I beg to introduce a Bill to provide for the Speaker of the House of Commons to have power to determine the eligibility of Members of the House of Commons to participate in certain legislative proceedings of that House. I beg to move that this Bill be now read a first time.

Moved, That the Bill be now read a first time.—(Lord Baker of Dorking.)

On Question, Bill read a first time, and ordered to be printed.

==========================================

Finally this issue is getting a profile !

mkpdavies · 18-01-2006, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Scottish and Welsh MPs would be banned from voting on issues which only affect England, under proposed new laws.
The so-called West Lothian question has plagued Westminster since before Labour devolved power to national assemblies

.

He must have got that from the UKIP manifesto!

18-01-2006, 09:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Johnny Hates Jazz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,973 Party: English Democrats	West Lothian Question - Private Members Bill http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4620576.stm Scots and Welsh MP vote ban bid - on English only issues Lord Baker says the laws are need to hold the UK together Scottish and Welsh MPs would be banned from voting on issues which only affect England, under proposed new laws. The so-called West Lothian question has plagued Westminster since before Labour devolved power to national assemblies. Labour rebels were angered last year when the government relied on the votes of Scottish MPs to get student top-up fees and foundation hospitals through. Ex-Tory home secretary Lord Baker, who is introducing a bill outlining a ban, said the situation was "unacceptable". 'Unfairness' Labour's reduced majority since the general election means it could be relying more heavily on Scottish and Welsh votes to get controversial legislation on to the statute books. But Lord Baker - who served in Margaret Thatcher's Cabinet - said: "There should be no legislation without representation." He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The supremacy of Westminster has been divided. "You set up an institution in Scotland - the Scottish Parliament - with legislation-making powers and the government is putting a Bill through Parliament to give the Welsh Assembly virtually the same powers. "That changes everything, because we have devolved to Scotland control of domestic issues". And he warned: "The only way we are going to keep the UK together is by not accepting a manifest unfairness for England." Devolved power Labour's Tam Dalyell first raised the West Lothian question, named after his then constituency, in the 1970s. The problem was highlighted last year, when the government's proposal for a partial ban on smoking in English pubs passed the committee stage in the Commons by a single vote from a Scottish MP, to whose constituency the legislation did not apply, Lord Baker said. Under the Conservative peer's proposals, the Speaker would prevent MPs and peers from voting on bills, or parts of a bill, that did not apply to their constituents. These would normally be in areas such as health, education and transport where power has been devolved to Cardiff or Edinburgh. It would not affect UK-wide legislation, such as defence, finance or immigration policy. England-only votes at Westminster votes were backed by David Davis during his failed bid for the Tory leadership but the policy has not been adopted by victor David Cameron. But Liberal Democrat leadership contender Simon Hughes has said, if elected, he would prevent MPs not sitting for English seats voting on matters only affecting England. Lord Baker's Bill, which stands little chance of becoming law without government backing, will be debated in the Lords in February. Parliament (Participation of Members of the House of Commons) Bill [HL] Back to top 3.06 pm Lord Baker of Dorking: My Lords, I beg to introduce a Bill to provide for the Speaker of the House of Commons to have power to determine the eligibility of Members of the House of Commons to participate in certain legislative proceedings of that House. I beg to move that this Bill be now read a first time. Moved, That the Bill be now read a first time.—(Lord Baker of Dorking.) On Question, Bill read a first time, and ordered to be printed. ========================================== Finally this issue is getting a profile !

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