---

Government of Wales Bill

: Notwithstanding what I thought was a brilliantly deadpan and ironic speech from the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. David), the highlight of the debate came 40 minutes ago when the right hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell) came into the Chamber, realised that he was about to be endorsed by the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Öpik), and promptly turned on his heel and returned to the safety of the Members Lobby. This has been an extremely enjoyable debate. I intrude on it because I believe that there is a Scottish dimension. I was fogbound at Dundee airport this morning and thought that I would miss the start of the debate, although I recognised the ability of my Welsh colleagues to spin it out through the afternoon. I have sat patiently, wanting to contribute whatever wisdom I can from a Scottish perspective. The fog at Dundee airport was as nothing compared to the red haze that has descended and clouded the judgment of the Secretary of State for Wales and one or two Scottish Back Benchers. They have dressed up a clear case of gerrymandering—or, as we must now call it, conker-pickling—on the Secretary of State’s part, claiming that it is to everyone’s advantage and has absolutely nothing to do with the poor, pathetic stories of the hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) about Members opening offices in his constituency and pretending to be politicians. The poor, sensitive flower among Welsh Labour Members! Ah, I see that the tender flower has returned. [Interruption.]