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Parliamentary Representation (England)

It is all about perception, is it not? The hon. Gentleman possibly perceives things from a rather different angle from me, but that is what democracy is all about, is it not? In his consideration of the European angle, the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey brought forward a most interesting proposition, which is that Members of the European Parliament should, in some way, be held accountable by their member states. That is an issue that is worth exploring, and I hope that all sides of the House will consider that possibility. The real problem is the West Lothian question. The fact is that Members of Parliament who are elected to represent constituencies in England should have a decisive say in matters that affect only England. That is the simplest way in which I can put it. There are various ways in which we can make that happen. One of them is the hon. Gentleman's idea of a federal system, which I personally reject. My right hon. and learned Friends the Members for Kensington and Chelsea (Sir Malcolm Rifkind) and for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) have both, in recent months, proposed very elegant solutions along the lines of an English Grand Committee or a ruling by the Speaker on matters that affect only England. Those ideas should be examined in greater detail and considered for a future Parliament. Likewise, I expect that my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke), who, along with his commission on the constitution, has been examining the matter in detail for some time, may well propose another similar solution. Such a solution may suggest that giving English Members of Parliament—Members of Parliament who sit for English seats—a decisive say in matters that affect only England can be properly addressed without creating further tiers of government or more bureaucracy than we need and without costing the taxpayer enormous amounts in constitutional reform, but in a way in which the Union is preserved and enhanced. I understand why the Government are so reluctant to discuss this matter and to come forward with their own proposals.