What the Government's policy is on the right of hon. Members representing Scottish constituencies to vote on matters relating to England where responsibility for such matters in Scotland has been devolved.

As I said to the House on 13 December, the Prime Minister set out the Government's policy to the House on 3 July. The Government do not accept that there should be any discrimination in the right of hon. Members to take part in the business of the House. English votes for English Laws would lead to the break up of the Union. The Government believe in the Union and will do nothing to harm it.

With a Scottish mother and an English father, I am understandably supportive of the union between Scotland and England. Why have the Government been so dilatory in coming forward with proposals to address the West Lothian question, and when will they address and end positive discrimination against the English, following their flawed devolution policy?

We have already taken forward significant policy changes on that issue by introducing devolution, and we are now looking at the accountability measures needed. All that the hon. Lady is doing is demonstrating that on this subject, as on others, she is completely out of step with not only Government policy but her own party leadership. I suggest that she read the speech given by Mr. Cameron on 10 December, in which he said:

"Better an imperfect union than a broken one."

May I say to the Deputy Leader of the House that Ann Winterton is not out of step with the views of the British people on this issue? The Government appear to have a complete blind spot when it comes to acknowledging that further constitutional reform is needed. I put it to the Deputy Leader of the House that now that there is successful devolution in Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff, and the prospect of more, it is important that we consider how matters of purely English consequence are dealt with by English elected Members of Parliament, in a way that is compatible with fully supporting the United Kingdom.

The hon. Gentleman needs to take account of the great deal of work that is being done on the issue. As he knows, the Modernisation Committee is considering ways of improving regional accountability for England. I am glad that he indicates that he supports that. As for Wales, we already have a means of reviewing and, if agreed, amending the devolution settlement through the government of Wales mechanisms. Similarly, it has been agreed that there should be further devolution to Northern Ireland when the Assembly feels ready for it.

Does the hon. Lady not recognise that there is a lingering sense of injustice in England, following the constitutional resettlement giving Welsh and Scottish Members more independence? Will she at least allow the House a topical debate on the subject?

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, it is not for me to take receipt of requests for topical debates now. I remind him that 85 per cent. of Members of the House are English, and that secures the interests of English voters.