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MPs to debate revised 'English votes for English laws' plan MPs to debate revised 'English votes for English laws' plan
(about 11 hours later)
The House of Commons is to debate revised government proposals to give England's MPs a veto over English laws.The House of Commons is to debate revised government proposals to give England's MPs a veto over English laws.
Ministers had to amend their plans after criticism from opposition MPs, including over the time for scrutiny.Ministers had to amend their plans after criticism from opposition MPs, including over the time for scrutiny.
A final set of proposals will be drafted after the debate, with a delayed vote to be held in September.A final set of proposals will be drafted after the debate, with a delayed vote to be held in September.
The debate comes after a row over plans to change fox hunting laws in England and Wales, with a vote being axed after the SNP said it would oppose the move.The debate comes after a row over plans to change fox hunting laws in England and Wales, with a vote being axed after the SNP said it would oppose the move.
The SNP had previously said it would not vote on issues affecting England and Wales only.The SNP had previously said it would not vote on issues affecting England and Wales only.
But it said its change of heart was partly due to the government trying to make Scottish MPs "second-class citizens" in the Commons through its "English votes for English laws" plans.But it said its change of heart was partly due to the government trying to make Scottish MPs "second-class citizens" in the Commons through its "English votes for English laws" plans.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the SNP's position was "entirely opportunistic".Prime Minister David Cameron said the SNP's position was "entirely opportunistic".
The vote on hunting has been delayed but it is not known when or if it will be rescheduled by the government.
The government wants to change Commons rules known as standing orders to give MPs from English constituencies a "decisive say" on bills that apply exclusively to England.The government wants to change Commons rules known as standing orders to give MPs from English constituencies a "decisive say" on bills that apply exclusively to England.
It has proposed an additional "parliamentary stage" to allow English MPs to scrutinise legislation without the involvement of Scottish MPs, saying it is a matter of fairness.It has proposed an additional "parliamentary stage" to allow English MPs to scrutinise legislation without the involvement of Scottish MPs, saying it is a matter of fairness.
England's MPs would be asked to accept or veto legislation only affecting England before it passed to a vote of all UK MPs at its third and final reading in the Commons.England's MPs would be asked to accept or veto legislation only affecting England before it passed to a vote of all UK MPs at its third and final reading in the Commons.
West Lothian Question
This means England's MPs could block any unwanted policies from being introduced in England - but could not force proposals through unless the whole House agreed.This means England's MPs could block any unwanted policies from being introduced in England - but could not force proposals through unless the whole House agreed.
A similar process would be used where matters covered only England and Wales - with Welsh MPs included.A similar process would be used where matters covered only England and Wales - with Welsh MPs included.
The proposals will, ministers say, address the long-standing anomaly - known as the West Lothian Question - by which Scottish MPs can vote on issues such as health and education affecting England, but the House of Commons has no say on similar matters relating to Scotland, where such policies are devolved.The proposals will, ministers say, address the long-standing anomaly - known as the West Lothian Question - by which Scottish MPs can vote on issues such as health and education affecting England, but the House of Commons has no say on similar matters relating to Scotland, where such policies are devolved.
West Lothian Question 'Appetite for change'
A vote on the government's proposal has been due to take place this week. Conservative MP Iain Stewart told BBC Radio Scotland the proposals were "modest and workable" and suggested the SNP wanted to "rile the English" and force the government to produce something more radical in an effort to destabilise the union.
But ministers were forced to rethink their plans after they came under sustained attack from opposition MPs unhappy at the government's handling of the matter. "I think the biggest threat to the union is if we don't address the English side of the devolution question," he said.
They argued that more detailed consideration of the proposals was needed, arguably through primary legislation. "There is a clear appetite - there is polling evidence in both England and Scotland - that people think the English votes for English laws is perfectly fair and reasonable."
Labour said it was an "outrage" that ministers wanted to rush into making "profound constitutional change", while the SNP said it was "totally unacceptable". A vote on the government's proposal had been due to take place this week. But ministers were forced to rethink their plans after they came under sustained attack from SNP and Labour MPs unhappy at the government's handling of the matter.
Concerns were also raised by some Conservatives, which could have threatened a government defeat on the measures.
A redraft of the proposals was published on Tuesday. The changes in them proved minor and sought only to clarify the position concerning Budget measures.A redraft of the proposals was published on Tuesday. The changes in them proved minor and sought only to clarify the position concerning Budget measures.
SNP MP Pete Wishart said, as it stood, Scottish MPs would be "effectively excluded" from decisions on matters affecting Scotland.
"That is just not on," he said. "We have to look after these issues for our constituencies. If there is a financial consequence for public services in Scotland that my constituents use, I have to take an interest in it."
He added: "When measures come before the Commons, they have to meet a number of tests. Is there a Scottish interest, does it impact on the functioning of our Parliament and is there a demand from our constituents that we take part in all this?
"That is a responsible way to approach this."