Oral answer to question provided on Wednesday, 12 October 2011 in the House of Commons, by Cheryl Gillan (Conservative), Wales Office.

Devolution

Answer: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to correct him, because I think he has misunderstood the terms of reference, which were agreed across all four parties. I am delighted to see his party taking part in the work of the Silk commission. What the Silk commission will be looking at is the second part of the Holtham report, which I know the First Minister is not keen on because it is about taxation powers. What is excluded is merely the Barnett formula and something called the ““Holtham floor””, which is part of the subject of the bilateral communications. May I reassure the right hon. Gentleman that I want to move forward, if I can, on the basis of consensus? I am delighted that his party has worked with me on the commission so far.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Wednesday, 12 October 2011 by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru).

Question: I very much welcome yesterday's announcement on the commission on devolution in Wales. That was a commitment of the coalition Government in Wales. Why are the Holtham recommendations specifically not being considered by the commission? If all those recommendations are going to be dismissed there will be difficulty in ensuring cross-party support, which is very important for the commission.

Secondary information