Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Wales Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Murphy of Torfaen Excerpts
Wednesday 16th March 2011

(13 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Cheryl Gillan Portrait Mrs Gillan
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I am grateful to my hon. Friend. When we established the coalition Government, we committed in the coalition agreement to establishing a Calman-like process for the Assembly. I will announce further details on that in the coming months.

Lord Murphy of Torfaen Portrait Paul Murphy (Torfaen) (Lab)
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The Secretary of State has just said that there will be a commission on the so-called West Lothian question. Does she personally believe that Welsh Members of Parliament should have fewer voting rights in this place, particularly bearing in mind that her Government have cut the number of Welsh MPs by 25%?

Cheryl Gillan Portrait Mrs Gillan
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As the right hon. Gentleman knows, it is important that every vote is of an equal weight in this country. I am sure he would not want me to revisit arguments that have been well made and exhausted in the House.

When the commission is established, it will need to take into account the Government’s proposals for House of Lords reform, the changes to the way in which this House does business and the changes to the devolution settlement in considering potential solutions to the West Lothian question.