---

Government of Wales Bill

We are not seeking to gerrymander the formula in favour of Wales; rather we are trying to ensure that it is fair to Wales—and, for that matter, to Scotland and Northern Ireland—by it being needs-based. We have to take the chance that, as Wales prospers under a Liberal Democrat Administration, its funding will be less because its needs will be less. But so far as we are concerned, this is not about begging bowls and asking for more; rather, we are asking for fairness. As the new clause makes clear,"““fairness . . . transparency . . . and the particular needs of Wales””" are the right bases on which to allocate funds. In conclusion, I look forward to hearing what the Minister and others have to say. I hope that he will say that he has been persuaded by the arguments—arguments that have been made many times before—and that he will incorporate the new clause. If he does, he will be a hero not just to the Liberal Democrats but to the people of Wales. If he does not, he will stand condemned alongside other Ministers who have shown a similar unwillingness to demonstrate the ability to listen that this ““listening”” Government so often claim for themselves.