MPs debated devolution and the Union
20 November 2014
On Thursday 20 November, MPs took part in a debate on a motion relating to devolution and the Union. This debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee following a bid from Dominic Raab, Conservative MP for Esher and Walton, and Frank Field, Labour MP for Birkenhead.
Watch the debate and read the transcript
The debate was opened by Dominic Raab at 1.32pm. Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, Angela Eagle, responded to the debate for the Opposition. First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, William Hague, responded for the Government.
Read the debate in Hansard.
Text of the Motion
MPs debated the following motion:
"That this House recognises the outcome of the referendum on Scottish independence; welcomes the freely expressed will of the people of Scotland to remain British; notes the proposals announced by Westminster party leaders for further devolution to Scotland; calls on the Government and Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition to bring forward proposals that are fair and reasonable for the whole of the United Kingdom, following a period of public consultation to enable people in all parts of the Union to express their views; and in particular, calls on the Government to ensure such proposals include a review of the Barnett formula and legislative proposals to address the West Lothian question."
Three amendments to the motion were tabled and can be read in the Order of Business. None of the amendments were selected for debate.
Backbench Business Committee
The Backbench Business Committee meets weekly on Tuesdays at 1pm to consider requests for debates from any backbench Members of Parliament on any subject, including those raised in e-petitions or national campaigns.
An MP must make a representation before the Committee for an e-petition or petition to be debated; e-petitions exceeding the Government's 100,000 signature threshold are not automatically allocated backbench time.
The Committee then has to decide how to allocate the limited Parliamentary time it has at its disposal. The Committee's meetings are always conducted in public and can be watched on Parliament TV.