Many Scots MPs backed the government

A familiar political row resurfaced on Tuesday after Scottish MPs voted on the introduction of foundation hospitals in England alone.

Critics have argued that Scottish MPs should not vote on issues which solely affect England - examples of the so-called West Lothian Question.

The UK Government narrowly avoided defeat on the issue with MPs voting 286 to 251 in favour of the controversial policy in the Commons.

This is the Scots imposing on the English something that is unacceptable in Scotland Tam Dalyell MP

The West Lothian issue took its name from the then constituency of Labour MP Tam Dalyell, almost 30 years ago.

He was the first to identify the potential anomaly of Scottish MPs being able to legislate on policy that would apply in England but not in their own constituencies.

Mr Dalyell, who is now the MP for Linlithgow, said the foundation hospitals row was "the West Lothian Question with a vengeance".

'Profoundly unfair'

He said: "It has come home to roost. On a matter of principle, MPs who are ministers should not be taking decisions in which their own constituents are not affected.

"It makes matters even graver if a decision is taken on an issue such as this, which has been rejected in Scotland.

"This is the Scots imposing on the English something that is unacceptable in Scotland."

Conservative shadow health secretary Dr Liam Fox said the government only won the hospitals vote because of Scots MPs' support.

He said it was "profoundly unfair".

But a Scottish Labour spokesman said: "It has always been the case that MPs sent to Westminster will be entitled and expected to vote on all issues."

Tam Dalyell: "West Lothian with a vengeance"

Anne Begg, Labour MP for Aberdeen South, said it was ridiculous to suggest MPs should only vote on matters affecting their constituents.

She said: "That is a nonsense because it means government would not be able to govern Northern Ireland, for instance, where there are no Labour MPs.

"This is a national government, a UK government, and we legislate for things that come before the House of Commons."

Ms Begg said both the Scottish National Party and Scottish Liberal Democrats voted against the government in the Commons on Tuesday.

She added: "It works both ways - if there are people voting against the government from the other parties in Scotland, then it's perfectly legitimate for the government's MPs to do it."