§ 3. Mr. Andrew Robathan (Blaby)What representations he has received regarding the ban on the sale of beef on the bone. [85157]
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Alun Michael)I have received many representations, both supporting and opposing the ban of the sale of beef on the bone. In Wales, following the transfer of functions, it will become a matter for the National Assembly.
§ Mr. RobathanI understand that after 1 July the National Assembly may decide to lift the ban on beef on the bone in Wales. That will lead to the astonishing predicament whereby one will be able to eat beef on the bone in Monmouth, but not if one travels up the A40 to 634 Ross-on-Wye. What does the Secretary of State think about that ludicrous situation? What is his position as regards Cabinet collective responsibility? Does he take the Government's absurd line that we are not allowed to eat beef on the bone, or will he support the sensible decision made by the representatives of the Welsh people?
§ Mr. MichaelThe hon. Gentleman's question is based on the astonishing assumption that the Welsh Assembly will deal with the issue unreasonably, without examining the evidence. The Assembly Committees responsible for agriculture and health are spending time looking at the evidence in order to reach a sensible decision—the best decision in the interests of the people of Wales. I have every confidence in their ability to look objectively at the facts.
It is the essence of devolution that some decisions will be taken in Wales for Wales and others will be taken elsewhere. However, the hon. Gentleman is not right to assume that people will act irrationally. That is not the way in which the Welsh Assembly is behaving.
§ Dr. Liam Fox (Woodspring)That was hardly an answer. The House deserves an answer to the following question: does the Secretary of State believe that it would be right for an hon. Member who is also a Member of the Welsh Assembly to vote in this House to retain a ban on beef on the bone, but to vote elsewhere to lift it? When the Secretary of State for Scotland said that people who vote in different ways in two different areas will have to resolve that problem themselves, perhaps he had the Secretary of State for Wales in mind.
§ Mr. MichaelThe devolution settlement is different in Scotland and Wales and we are answering on Welsh issues in our own way. I am happy to answer real questions, not the artificial nonsense questions that the hon. Gentleman dreams up. Of course, some responsibilities will in future fall to the Welsh Assembly. Others fall to the House and to right hon. and hon. Members, including those representing Welsh constituencies. The hon. Gentleman needs to understand the devolution settlement.