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Speaker grants urgent debate over English votes plan Speaker grants urgent debate over English votes plan
(about 5 hours later)
Commons Speaker John Bercow has granted an urgent three hour debate on Tuesday on the government's plans to introduce "English votes for English laws".Commons Speaker John Bercow has granted an urgent three hour debate on Tuesday on the government's plans to introduce "English votes for English laws".
Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael applied for the session claiming the government had abused parliamentary process by planning to limit the voting powers of Scottish MPs by changing Commons rules.Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael applied for the session claiming the government had abused parliamentary process by planning to limit the voting powers of Scottish MPs by changing Commons rules.
He said ministers were effectively creating an English parliament.He said ministers were effectively creating an English parliament.
The SNP, Labour and other opposition parties backed his request.The SNP, Labour and other opposition parties backed his request.
There is due to be another debate and vote on the government's plans - which would amend the legislative process so bills primarily affecting England would require the explicit consent of MPs representing English constituencies - next week.There is due to be another debate and vote on the government's plans - which would amend the legislative process so bills primarily affecting England would require the explicit consent of MPs representing English constituencies - next week.
However, the former Scottish secretary said the plans to change standing orders in the Commons, through which parliamentary business is organised - were a "constitutional outrage" and required more detailed consideration.However, the former Scottish secretary said the plans to change standing orders in the Commons, through which parliamentary business is organised - were a "constitutional outrage" and required more detailed consideration.
If MPs representing constituencies outside England were barred from taking part in certain votes, he said, it would breach the longstanding principle that "no matter where we have come from... we are all equal".If MPs representing constituencies outside England were barred from taking part in certain votes, he said, it would breach the longstanding principle that "no matter where we have come from... we are all equal".
In an unusual parliamentary procedure, Mr Carmichael sought leave to request a substantive debate on the issue and was granted it following a show of support in the Commons.In an unusual parliamentary procedure, Mr Carmichael sought leave to request a substantive debate on the issue and was granted it following a show of support in the Commons.
List of bills
A point of order on "English votes for English laws" was also raised in the Commons on Monday by SNP MP Kirsty Blackman.
She told the speaker she had asked in a parliamentary question which government bills introduced in the course of the last parliament had been English, or English and Welsh, only.
Answering, Commons leader Chris Grayling said the only English-only measure had been the Education Bill, and he listed 13 Bills which had been English and Welsh only - including a Scotland Bill
She said: "Today, I have received a response. In the list for England and Wales only, is included the Scotland Bill."
After the comment sparked loud laughter, Ms Blackman added: "That was much the response I had. I would appreciate if this could be looked into."
Mr Bercow urged the Aberdeen North MP to raise the matter at during Wednesday's debate.
The government argues that changes are needed to end the longstanding anomaly by which Scottish MPs can vote on issues such as health and education affecting England but English MPs have no say on similar matters relating to Scotland, where policy is devolved.The government argues that changes are needed to end the longstanding anomaly by which Scottish MPs can vote on issues such as health and education affecting England but English MPs have no say on similar matters relating to Scotland, where policy is devolved.