What is all the fuss about English-only votes?

Since some powers were devolved to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly, there have been calls for English MPs to vote on England-only matters. The issue is often called the West Lothian question, after the former MP for that constituency, Tam Dalyell, who opposed Labour's failed attempt to introduce devolution in the late 1970s. Mr Dalyell asked why, as a Scottish MP, he would be able to vote on issues affecting England, while English MPs have no say on the same issue in Scotland.

Why does it matter?

Some controversial government policies, such as foundation hospitals and university top-up fees, were opposed by most English MPs, but voted through with the support of Scottish Labour MPs. In Scotland both policies were rejected. There is also anger among some English MPs that their constituents' taxes are paying for social benefits - such as planned free prescription charges and personal care for the elderly - that only apply to Scotland.

Why not just set up an English Parliament?

Campaigners - such as the English Democrats - say an English Parliament, with at least as many powers as the Scottish Parliament, is the only fair solution to the West Lothian question. They also want financial devolution, so that the Scottish Parliament and Welsh and Northern Irish assemblies become responsible for financing their own activities. Opponents say this would break-up the UK.

Is that what the Conservatives want?

No. They think separate, independent parliaments in England and Scotland would spell the end for the UK - but they do want "English votes for English laws". Some senior Tories believe Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish MPs should simply be sent out of the Commons chamber when it is voting on English issues. But the party leadership is said to be considering a more sophisticated solution, put together by former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind.

What is Sir Malcolm Rifkind's idea?

He wants to set up an English grand committee of all MPs representing English seats. This would sit for two days a week in the Commons chamber and vote on matters affecting only English constituencies, such as health and schools. It would operate along similar lines to the Scottish grand committee, consisting of all 59 Scottish MPs, which used to meet regularly, before devolution, to debate exclusively Scottish bills. MPs from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would continue to sit together to vote on UK-wide matters such as foreign affairs and taxation.

Who would decide which bills will be debated by the English Grand Committee?

The Speaker of the House of Commons or an independent committee. The full proposals have yet to be published.

What happens if the government does not have a working majority on the English grand committee?

It would have to seek compromises and make deals just as governments faced by hung parliaments have had to do - or as parties have had to in the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly.

Would an English grand committee with a Conservative majority be able to impose Tory measures on a Labour government, or vice versa?

Sir Malcolm says it would not because the government and not the grand committee would still retain control of the Parliamentary timetable, the right to initiate legislation and sole access to the civil service.

Wouldn't it create two classes of MPs, with non-English MPs the poor relations?

That's what opponents of the proposals say. Sir Malcolm insists it could be avoided by having all MPs vote to rubber stamp the decisions of the English grand committee before they become law.

What does the government say about the Tory proposals?

Labour has said the plans will lead to "constitutional anarchy" with constant rows about which bills, or parts of bills, affect England only. They argue it will lead to the eventual break-up of the Union. The proposals would also mean that ministers who held Scottish seats - such as Prime Minister Gordon Brown - would be unable to vote on their own bills. It is also possible that Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish MPs could argue any decision may have a knock-on effect on funding for the devolved administrations - because of the Barnett formula, opponents argue.

What is the Barnett formula?

The complicated system which calculates the share of public spending allocated to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It was introduced in 1978, by the then chief secretary to the Treasury, Joel Barnett, and initially only applied to Scotland. The formula is broadly based on population size - but it does not determine the overall size of budgets in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Instead all three countries receive a proportion of any increases in planned spending on the equivalent services in England.

What is the Lib Dem position on the West Lothian question?

Senior Lib Dems, including the party's president Simon Hughes, have spoken in favour of English-only votes, arguing that new constitutional arrangements are needed. Alistair Carmichael, the party's spokesman on Scotland, has called for a rethink on the Barnett formula and tax raising powers for the Scottish Parliament.

And the SNP?

Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, has backed the idea of English votes for English laws, but said that a grand committee did not go far enough. He wants entirely separate, independent Parliaments in Scotland and England. He has pledged a referendum on the future governance of Scotland by 2010, although his party currently lacks the Parliamentary support for a referendum on Scottish independence.

Which powers are currently devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Westminster controls issues such as; defence, foreign affairs, national security, pensions and benefits, most tax, the civil service, drugs policy, firearms, energy and health and safety. The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood has control over issues including: the NHS in Scotland, education, transport, police, fire brigade, social work, housing, tourism, criminal law (except drugs and firearms) and courts and prisons.

The Welsh Assembly's powers are more limited but it is responsible for areas including: Agriculture, ancient monuments, culture, economic development, education, fire service, health, housing, industry, social services, transport and roads and tourism.

Devolved powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly include: Education and employment, health, social services, transport, libraries, sport, museums, economic development, tourism, industry, rural affairs and housing.