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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Scots 'must vote less on England' | Scots 'must vote less on England' |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Scottish MPs should have less power to vote on matters relating only to England, a Conservative taskforce says. | Scottish MPs should have less power to vote on matters relating only to England, a Conservative taskforce says. |
| At present, they can vote on all legislation affecting England - but English MPs do not have a say over Scottish-only matters. | At present, they can vote on all legislation affecting England - but English MPs do not have a say over Scottish-only matters. |
| Critics say this is unfair and has created two classes of MPs. | Critics say this is unfair and has created two classes of MPs. |
| Ex-Tory chancellor Ken Clarke's group says Scottish MPs should not vote on amendments - when policy is discussed in-depth - to England-only bills. | Ex-Tory chancellor Ken Clarke's group says Scottish MPs should not vote on amendments - when policy is discussed in-depth - to England-only bills. |
| He told the BBC that "logically" similar restrictions would be placed on Wales and Northern Ireland MPs if and when their assemblies gained similar powers to Scotland's Parliament. | |
| The proposals will not necessarily become Conservative policy, although party leader David Cameron himself set up Mr Clarke's Democracy Taskforce to come up with usable ideas. | |
| Union worries | Union worries |
| The plan comes amid concerns that the Scottish devolution settlement has created two classes of MP. | The plan comes amid concerns that the Scottish devolution settlement has created two classes of MP. |
| Since some powers were devolved, there have been calls for just MPs with English constituencies to vote on England-only matters. | |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
| The issue is often called the West Lothian question, after the former MP for that constituency, Tam Dalyell, who opposed Labour's failed attempt to introduce devolution in the late 1970s. | The issue is often called the West Lothian question, after the former MP for that constituency, Tam Dalyell, who opposed Labour's failed attempt to introduce devolution in the late 1970s. |
| In Scotland, legislation on issues such as health and education are controlled by the country's own parliament at Holyrood. | |
| But policy for England is decided by the Westminster parliament, with MPs from all parts of the UK able to vote. | But policy for England is decided by the Westminster parliament, with MPs from all parts of the UK able to vote. |
| Critics say this is unfair. But supporters of devolution say that to reduce Scottish MPs' powers would create a more unbalanced system, possibly hastening the break-up of the Union. | Critics say this is unfair. But supporters of devolution say that to reduce Scottish MPs' powers would create a more unbalanced system, possibly hastening the break-up of the Union. |
| This is particularly the case, they argue, as Scottish MPs cannot vote on certain issues affecting their own constituents - which are instead dealt with by Holyrood. | This is particularly the case, they argue, as Scottish MPs cannot vote on certain issues affecting their own constituents - which are instead dealt with by Holyrood. |
| 'Imposed' | 'Imposed' |
| In his report, Mr Clarke is proposing banning Scottish MPs from voting at the committee stage of bills relating to England, when the majority of amendments are thrashed out. | In his report, Mr Clarke is proposing banning Scottish MPs from voting at the committee stage of bills relating to England, when the majority of amendments are thrashed out. |
| However, they would still be allowed to vote at the earlier second reading stage - when the broader principles of legislation are discussed - and the third reading stage, when the bill as a whole either passes through the Commons or fails. | However, they would still be allowed to vote at the earlier second reading stage - when the broader principles of legislation are discussed - and the third reading stage, when the bill as a whole either passes through the Commons or fails. |
| Mr Clarke told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think most British people want the Westminster parliament. | Mr Clarke told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think most British people want the Westminster parliament. |
| "But when the Westminster parliament is dealing with purely English things, it shouldn't find the English have things imposed on them by members of Parliament who are elected to represent other parts of the country that are unaffected." | "But when the Westminster parliament is dealing with purely English things, it shouldn't find the English have things imposed on them by members of Parliament who are elected to represent other parts of the country that are unaffected." |
| Mr Clarke gave the 2004 vote to bring in annual student tuition fees of up to £3,000 a year in England as an example. | Mr Clarke gave the 2004 vote to bring in annual student tuition fees of up to £3,000 a year in England as an example. |
| The government had managed a Commons majority only through its Scottish MPs, even though the fees do not apply in the country, he said. | The government had managed a Commons majority only through its Scottish MPs, even though the fees do not apply in the country, he said. |
| Mr Clarke also said: "It's no good waiting until the English get resentful." | |
| The task force is also examining other areas of the constitution and standardising the size of constituencies to ensure every MP represents the same number of voters. | The task force is also examining other areas of the constitution and standardising the size of constituencies to ensure every MP represents the same number of voters. |
| That could lead to a reduction in the number of Westminster MPs, but it is thought there are no plans to cut the number of Scottish MPs. | That could lead to a reduction in the number of Westminster MPs, but it is thought there are no plans to cut the number of Scottish MPs. |
| Westminster controls issues such as; defence, foreign affairs, national security, pensions and benefits, most tax, the civil service, drugs policy, firearms, energy and health and safety. | Westminster controls issues such as; defence, foreign affairs, national security, pensions and benefits, most tax, the civil service, drugs policy, firearms, energy and health and safety. |
| Holyrood has power to pass laws on Scottish issues including the NHS, education, transport, police, fire brigade, social work, housing, tourism, criminal law and courts and prisons. | |