West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin today pressed for the Government to implement recommendations made by the McKay Commission to answer the ‘West Lothian Question’. The MP's three-year campaign to attempt to address a complex constitutional issue took a further step forward this week with the publication of the McKay Commission. The Commission was set up last year to consider the ‘West Lothian Question’ which raises the issue of what subjects MPs from each of the four nations can vote on. Harriett quizzed Cabinet Office Minister Chloe Smith today in the House of Commons to find out what plans the Government has for implementing the findings of the Commission. The Minister told the House of Commons: “The Government is very grateful to the Commission for its work. This is an important issue, which is why the Government asked this expert Commission to look at it. “The report presents a positive step forward and we will give it very serious consideration before responding substantively.” The Minister also commended Harriett for her work championing the issue and added: “The Government takes this issue extremely seriously. We think it is a very positive step forward and I shall be very happy to talk to all members of the Government about its merits and otherwise.” Speaking outside the House of Commons, Harriett commented: “The McKay Commission has presented very workable suggestions to move towards a solution. “I know that many of my colleagues continue to support this campaign to solve the West Lothian Question once and for all. “With a referendum planned next year to discuss the future of the relationship between the UK and Scotland, I am eager to make sure that we keep the pressure up to act and implement the Commissions recommendations as quickly as possible in this Parliament.” FULL TEXT: Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): When he expects that the report from the commission on the consequences of devolution for the House of Commons will be published. [149754] The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Miss Chloe Smith): With this, I will also answer Question 2. The McKay commission, which the Government established to consider how the House of Commons deals with legislation that affects only part of the UK, reported yesterday. We are grateful to the commission for its work. This is an important issue, which is why the Government asked the expert commission to look at it. The report presents a positive step forward, and we will give it very serious consideration before responding substantively. Harriett Baldwin: I, too, thank the McKay commission for such an erudite report. The commission outlines a principle: that decisions at UK level with a separate and distinct effect for England should normally be taken only with the consent of a majority of MPs for constituencies in England. Will the Minister argue with her boss, who is a passionate believer in political and constitutional reform, to implement that sensible principle in the next Session? Miss Smith: I commend my hon. Friend for her work on this important matter—she has campaigned long and hard and taken the time to go into the detail. As I have said, the Government take the report extremely seriously. We believe it is a positive step forward, and I am happy to talk to all members of the Government about its merits and otherwise. | Hansard