LAST month, the House of Commons passed the Government’s proposals to address the so-called West Lothian Question.

It really isn't fair that Scottish MPs could dictate what happens in our education system when they have their own parliament to decide theirs. Personally, I took great pleasure in seeing this happen as, five years ago, I introduced a Private Member’s Bill on this subject.

My campaigning led to the government setting up a commission and after winning a majority at the general election, the Conservative government fulfilled a long-standing manifesto commitment to act.

English votes for English laws will strengthen the Union, create fairer arrangements and ensure the English have more of a voice over matters that only affect them. The proposals are balanced and are being introduced in a considered way and will be reviewed after 12 months. It is important that we have a system which is fair and workable for every part of the UK.

Every MP would continue to have a vote on every bill. Where the House of Commons considers a bill which only affects England, and where the power to make that law has been devolved elsewhere, a new parliamentary procedure will apply with the Speaker responsible for certifying which bills, or parts of bills, meet this test.

The procedure will see English, or sometimes English and Welsh, MPs being asked for their consent to the provisions which meet this test. They will do this in a new stage of parliamentary consideration called the 'Legislative Grand Committee', which will let them debate the proposals and secure their consent to them.

All MPs will continue to debate and vote on legislation at second and third reading and report stage. This ensures that new laws are made with the agreement of the whole House of Commons, but that English and Welsh laws will be made with the consent of MPs who represent those parts of the country.

Some people want England to have a separate parliament, but I think that's expensive and who wants more politicians? The government’s proposals ensure that MPs from across the UK continue to have a role in making legislation but also ensure English matters are approved by a majority of English MPs. This will strengthen England’s voice just as devolution has strengthened the voices of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while maintaining the strength of the UK Parliament and the Union.