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Parliament reform plans due out Parliament reform plans due out
(about 9 hours later)
Plans to reform the way Parliament operates are due to be announced by Justice Secretary Jack Straw. Plans to reform the way Parliament operates are due to be unveiled by Justice Secretary Jack Straw.
It is thought the draft constitutional renewal bill may limit the power of the prime minister to declare war. It is thought the draft Constitutional Renewal Bill may formally give MPs the final say on going to war.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Tories will use a Commons debate later to force a vote on their renewed call for a full inquiry into the Iraq war. The Tories hope to use a Commons debate to force a vote on their renewed call for a full inquiry into the Iraq war.
Last week it was reported that Gordon Brown had agreed to hold an inquiry when it was "appropriate". The BBC understands that ministers have approved a move to set up a commission, with the Scottish Parliament, to re-examine devolution in Scotland.
The Independent said he had made the pledge in a letter to the Fabian Society. Under his proposed reforms, Mr Straw is expected to announce that Parliament should be allowed the final decision on when an election is called.
In the past the government has said no inquiry should be held while UK troops are still in action in Iraq as it would be a diversion. Defence of the Union
But shadow foreign secretary William Hague has said that unless an inquiry begins soon, memories will fade and relevant files will go astray. He is also likely to recommend the Commons be given more of a say in the selection of public officials.
Other matters that may be covered in the proposals to be announced by Mr Straw include allowing Parliament the final decision on when an election is called and giving the Commons more of a say in the selection of public officials. His statement will be followed by an opposition-led debate in which the Conservatives are hoping to force a vote calling for an inquiry into the Iraq war.
The prime minister has talked about his desire to forge a new relationship between the government and the citizen Rajini VaidyanathanBBC political correspondent Shadow foreign secretary William Hague says that unless an inquiry begins soon, memories will fade and relevant files will go astray.
Meanwhile, the prime minister has issued an impassioned defence of the Union, stressing that it is not a "contract of convenience". Gordon Brown has agreed to hold an inquiry when it is "appropriate".
The government says no inquiry should be held while UK troops are still in action in Iraq as it would be a diversion.
On devolution, the prime minister has issued an impassioned defence of the Union, stressing that it is not a "contract of convenience".
Mr Brown said Britain was based on a "covenant" binding together England, Wales and Scotland in a way that went beyond the material benefits to each nation.Mr Brown said Britain was based on a "covenant" binding together England, Wales and Scotland in a way that went beyond the material benefits to each nation.
Barnet Formula
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said the foundation of the Union was "shared values that have created bonds of belonging that make us all feel part of a wider Britain".Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said the foundation of the Union was "shared values that have created bonds of belonging that make us all feel part of a wider Britain".
BBC political correspondent Rajini Vaidyanathan described constitutional reform as being "an issue close to the prime minister's heart". Mr Brown has made "Britishness" and constitutional reform two of the key themes of his premiership.
"The prime minister has talked about his desire to forge a new relationship between the government and the citizen," she said. But he has also faced calls to address the perceived imbalance in power created by devolution, which allows Scottish MPs to vote on English matters such as health and education but not vice versa.
"Today we are expecting to hear more of how he plans to do that." The BBC understands the Cabinet has approved the establishment of a commission, to be chaired by academic Kenneth Calman, to look at the work of a devolved Scotland in terms of both its powers and finances.
It will consider whether the Scottish executive should take more responsibility for the money it spends by devolving more taxes from the UK Treasury.
It is possible that this could in the future allow for changes to the controversial Barnet Formula, the complicated mechanism for calculating public spending in Scotland, which has led to it being higher per head than in England.