Business of the House

Andrew Gwynne Excerpts

Thursday 28th May 2015 Commons Chamber

[Chris Grayling]

The hon. Gentleman will have an opportunity next Thursday in questions to the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

[Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab)]

I, too, congratulate you, Mr Speaker, on your re-election.

Given that the Gracious Speech signalled the Government’s intention to devolve more powers to those city regions with metro mayors, will the Leader of the House ensure that when he brings forward his proposals to change the Standing Orders of the House in relation to English votes for English laws there will be no unintended consequences impacting on the 27 Members of Parliament from Greater Manchester who, to use his own logic, will be able to vote on health matters relating to his constituents, but not on health matters relating to their own constituents?

[Chris Grayling]

When we bring forward our proposals, there will be plenty of opportunity for this House to scrutinise them, but we are not offering to Manchester the chance to take the kind of powers that are being offered to the Scottish Parliament. When we bring forward those proposals, which I think are right for England, the interesting question for Labour is whether it will support them. Are English Labour MPs going to defend the right of their own constituents or are they going to put party advantage first?