Devolution: England

Lady Saltoun of Abernethy Excerpts

Wednesday 13th July 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

We will certainly have an opportunity to debate the noble Lord’s amendment as the Scotland Bill will shortly come to this House. In the mean time, one of the aspects of devolution which the commission will investigate is the whole question of funding. I reassure the noble Lord that the Barnett formula will loom large in its considerations.

[Lady Saltoun of Abernethy]

My Lords, do the English want a devolved Parliament; and to pay for it?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

That is not for me to say; I guess that is for the English people to say. Given that roughly 85 per cent of the membership of the House of Commons comes from English constituencies, one of the solutions may be not to change the devolution settlement in respect of England.