Scotland Bill: Fiscal Framework

Lord Wigley Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd February 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Dunlop]

Obviously, this is a negotiation between two parties, and I cannot give a guarantee on an outcome to a specific timetable. What I can say is that both Governments understand the pressing parliamentary timetables, both here and in Holyrood, and our desire and commitment to see full scrutiny of this fiscal framework.

[Lord Wigley (PC)]

My Lords—

[Lord McCluskey (CB)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Dunlop]

My Lords, as I said at the outset, we are very conscious that this deal must be fair not only to Scotland but to the other parts of the UK. We will certainly not, because of the pressure of parliamentary time, do a deal at any cost.

[Lord Wigley]

My Lords, with regard to the fairness to all parts of the UK, will the Minister accept that no deal will be regarded as acceptable in Wales unless it does away with the iniquitous Barnett formula, as has been recommended by a committee of this House, and replaces it with a needs-based formula as soon as possible?

[Lord Dunlop]

The noble Lord will be aware of the commitments that were made by all of the UK parties at the time of the last election with regard to the Barnett formula, and I do not have anything to add to that.