Tuesday, January 25, 2005

BBC NEWS | Politics | Howard unveils Tory asylum plans

BBC NEWS | Politics | Howard unveils Tory asylum plans: "BBC NEWS

BBC NEWS
Howard unveils Tory asylum plans
Tory plans to cut immigration to the UK are not racist and will make the asylum system fairer for genuine refugees, Michael Howard has said.

As his party set out detailed asylum reform plans, Mr Howard said they would help smash people smuggling gangs.

There would be an annual limit on asylum and all claims would be processed overseas.

Some charities say the plans would put refugees' lives at risk if they were turned away once quotas were filled.


TORIES ON IMMIGRATION
Annual limit on immigration
Quotas for refugees
"Points" assessment for work permits
Drop international refugee agreement
More port security

Tony Blair said Labour would set out workable plans for tackling immigration abuse in the next few weeks and attacked the Tory plans.

"By cutting the number of front-line immigration staff at our borders, they will actually make the problem worse," said Mr Blair.

Liberal Democrat chairman Matthew Taylor said there needed to be a quick, fair and firm asylum system.

But he said it was "absolutely disgusting" to propose a system which could turn away genuine refugees.

The Conservatives say there is little risk of this happening as demand for asylum will be considered when quotas are set.


BBC NEWS: VIDEO AND AUDIO
Michael Howard on Radio Four's Today programme

In a speech in London on Monday, Mr Howard said: "It's not racist, as some people to claim, to talk about controlling immigration far from it."

He said that coming from an immigrant family himself he recognised that "firm but fair" immigration controls were essential for good community relations.

The Tories proposed a four-step asylum plan:

* Withdrawing from the 1951 United Nations Convention on refugees, which obliges countries to accept people being persecuted on the basis of need, not numbers

* Introduce laws to allow the immediate removal of asylum seekers whose claims were clearly unfounded because they came from safe countries or had destroyed documents

* Detain asylum seekers without documents so people whose identity was not known were not able to move freely around the UK - a worry for "national security"

* Stop considering asylum applications inside the UK and instead take people from United Nations refugee agency camps. Anyone applying for asylum would be taken to new centres close to their countries of origin.

The Tories also want quotas for those seeking work permits through an Australian-style points system and those wanting to join families in the UK.


LABOUR ON IMMIGRATION
Supports "managed economic migration"
Says it is cutting illegal immigration
Says it has cut asylum abuse
Border controls in France and Belgium
New policies on asylum removals soon

Mr Howard said nearly 160,000 people were settling in the UK every year - the size of a city like Peterborough.

The plans would help achieve a "substantial reduction" in immigration, he said, although he could not predict a figure.

He said that only two out of 10 asylum seekers had their claims accepted under the current "unfair and inhumane" system.

Setting poor example?

"We need to break the link between arriving in Britain and claiming asylum," Mr Howard said.

"By breaking that link we can smash the criminal gangs at the heart of the trade in people smuggling."


LIB DEMS ON IMMIGRATION
More 'humane' asylum system
EU-wide asylum deal
Independent asylum decisions agency
Allow asylum seekers to work
Quota system for non-EU work migration

But the UN refugees agency is worried the policy sends the wrong message to poorer countries which receive the bulk of refugees.

And a spokesman for European Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini said the plans would contravene EU asylum policy, which meant the UK could not simply refuse to hear an asylum case.

Refugee Council Chief Executive Maeve Sherlock called the plans "dangerous, ill thought-out and hugely irresponsible".

Lives could be put at risk if refugees were turned away once the quotas were filled, she warned.

Commission for Racial Equality chairman Trevor Phillips said asylum applications were down 40% and economic migration down about 10%.

More power to Howard's elbow!
Dave, Nottingham

He did not think Mr Howard intended to centre the debate about race.

But he warned that some campaigners could use his words to hint the policy was about keeping out people of a different colour or culture.

Mr Howard called that suggestion "disgraceful".
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk_politics/4200761.stm

Published: 2005/01/24 22:03:04 GMT

© BBC MMV

BBC NEWS | Politics | Head-to-head: Tory immigration plan

BBC NEWS | Politics | Head-to-head: Tory immigration plan: "BBC NEWS
Head-to-head: Tory immigration plan

BBC NEWS
Head-to-head: Tory immigration plan
Tory leader Michael Howard has outlined the Conservative party's immigration plans, including the introduction of asylum quotas and annual limits for other types of immigration.

Two views on his plans are outlined here.

Commission for Racial Equality chairman Trevor Phillips

We met leaders of the main parliamentary parties in the past week where they urged us to try to bring them together to find a way in which they could discuss this, because we ourselves do want to have an open and public debate on immigration.

It is simply that what we heard [from Mr Howard] frankly makes that rather difficult because of the terms in which it is expressed and because of the rather odd and contradictory things in this announcement.

The problem is that most of it doesn't make sense. For example 'it's now a turning point'.

Why now? Asylum number applications are down 40%, labour market immigration is down about 10% - when Mr Howard talks about needing to cut down on immigration he doesn't really start to talk about whom.

Given that the largest single group of migrants into this country are from the European Union, Australia, New Zealand and the United States, we don't know whether he is now saying that we ought to withdraw from the EU agreement, whether we need to revoke the agreements we have with Australia and New Zealand.

The main people who would have a problem with this would be Brits who want to work in France, which is the biggest country of migration from the UK.

We don't really know who Mr Howard is talking about. He and I are both first generation immigrants - is he talking about people like his parents and mine?

We have no problem about talking about it. The difficulty is that if you are going to raise this issue then it mustn't be in a way that allows people who want to turn this in to a race issue to do so.

I don't believe that Michael Howard is doing this on the basis of race. I don't see how he can be. If his principle point is that he wants to bring down the numbers for inward migration then that must be to bring down the numbers from the European Union, from the United States, and from Australia and New Zealand, which are, by and large, mostly white countries.

It's hard to see what he's saying to employers here. The employers say that the presence of immigrants are a great boost to our tax revenues, reducing our taxes by about 1p in the pound. It will be interesting to see how he makes up that gap.

Migration Watch UK chairman Sir Andrew Green

These are tough, radical proposals. I think in particular the proposal for an annual limit is a very good one because once that is implemented it will put people's minds at rest.

At the moment there is very great concern throughout the country about immigration - 80% of the public want to see tighter immigration controls, and that includes 52% of ethnic minorities.

Immigration has nearly trebled under the present government, it's bringing in people at 160,000 a year. This is going to add 5m to our population in 30 years - five times the population of Birmingham. People are right to be worried about it.

There's been a lot of talk in the media about housing problems. Over the next 20 years, one in three new households will be down to immigration. I'm not blaming the housing problem on immigrants, I'm just saying they make a bad situation worse.

There's very widespread concern, it does have to be dealt with and I'm very glad to see a major party put forward proposals. For the leader to put his personal authority behind it, it's a major step forward. I hope the other major party will do the same.

I would be comfortable to [have] quotas on asylum also, subject to one proviso - that we don't send back to the country of origin somebody who our own courts have found to be a genuine refugee.

I don't think that will happen though . Nobody should be sent back to persecution, nobody would support that and I don't think any government or party would put that forward.

It's plain silly to suggest that the plan leaves the way open to racism. It would make it worse for race relations in this country to continue with the official silence on all this. If that continues, that's when we'll see the rise of the extremist elements. If our democratic system is to work then, when you have this issue of immigration, you have to address it.

One thing that has happened in recent years has been that people are not prepared to discuss these things openly. I think that's unhealthy.

We have a long way to go before we have an open and sensible debate and people can be confident that the parties that govern this country understand their concerns and are going to act on them.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk_politics/4201539.stm

Published: 2005/01/24 14:59:15 GMT

© BBC MMV

Monday, January 17, 2005

BBC NEWS | Politics | Howard unveils Tory tax cut plan

BBC NEWS | Politics | Howard unveils Tory tax cut plan

BBC NEWS
Howard unveils Tory tax cut plan
Conservative leader Michael Howard has promised £4bn in tax cuts as campaigning for the next general election gathered pace.

Mr Howard said his party could cut £35bn from "wasteful" public spending and put it towards frontline services, tax cuts and reducing borrowing.

Labour hit back by claiming the Tory sums did not add up and will not be believed by voters.

The Lib Dems also launched their pre-election campaign on Monday.

Leader Charles Kennedy cited his party's opposition to the Iraq war, ID cards and tuition fees as evidence that the Lib Dems were the "authentic opposition".

The Tories said they could save money by axing 235,000 civil service jobs, 168 public bodies and schemes such as the New Deal.

I don't think we, in our wildest dreams, thought that the Conservatives would drop the ball to the extent that they have done
Matthew Taylor
Lib Dem

Mr Howard said voters faced a clear choice at the polls: "More waste and higher taxes under Mr Blair or value for money and low taxes with the Conservatives."

Labour had already raised taxes 66 times and its spending plans spelled danger for the economy, he warned.

The Tories said the bulk of their savings - £23bn - would go into frontline services, particularly health and education.

Another £8bn would be used to plug a "black hole" in government finances and reduce Labour's borrowing, which the Tories say will cause tax rises.


HAVE YOUR SAY
Tax cuts will certainly go some way towards swinging my vote
AJ, UK

They say there would be £4bn left for tax cuts - although they have yet to specify which taxes would be lowered.

Changes to inheritance tax, stamp duty and altering income tax thresholds to help low paid and middle earning families are being considered.

Mr Letwin said the tax cuts would be targeted at "hard working families and hard pressed businesses".

"These are not vague aspirations, these are absolute commitments," he said, stressing the plans were the result of "tough decisions".

'Bad maths'

Labour election co-ordinator Alan Milburn accused the Conservatives of producing a "fraudulent prospectus" which would not fool the public.

"When they hear Michael Howard promising tax cuts, and promising extra spending on schools and hospitals, they look upwards and see skies full of flying pigs," he said.

"Because they know their sums don't add up. They know the Tories plan massive cuts in public services."

Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable branded the Tory package as "fantasy economics".

"These proposals are a dishonest and opportunistic attempt by a party thathas realised that they have no chance of winning the next general election," he said.

The Tory announcement comes it lost MP and ex-minister Robert Jackson, who defected to Labour. On Sunday Mr Howard insisted the move would not influence voters.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk_politics/4180029.stm

Published: 2005/01/17 22:14:33 GMT

© BBC MMV

Monday, January 10, 2005

BBC NEWS | Politics | Tory plan to end global poverty

BBC NEWS | Politics | Tory plan to end global poverty: "BBC NEWS
Tory plan to end global poverty
The Tories would match Labour spending plans on international development arguing the move underlines their commitment to ending global poverty.

Spokesman Alan Duncan said the pledge should be seen in the context of a tougher spending regimen than Labour's.

He said the difference from Labour would be in the way cash was spent.

'You will see that the long-term prosperity of the world's poorest I think is better served by our policies than Labour's,' said Mr Duncan.

Consultants

Denying the two parties now had effectively the same policy, he said the Tories would zoom in existing money he believes is being wasted.

Mr Duncan gave the example of the �976m, nearly a quarter of the department's budget, which he said was currently spent on consultants.

He announced a Conservative government would increase the DFID budget from �4.5bn in 2005/6 to �5bn in 2006/7 and then �5.3bn in 2007/8 - matching Labour's commitment.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk_politics/4152547.stm

Published: 2005/01/06 16:30:48 GMT

� BBC MMV
"

BBC NEWS | Politics | 'Tories to axe Prescott ministry'

BBC NEWS | Politics | 'Tories to axe Prescott ministry': "BBC NEWS
'Tories to axe Prescott ministry'
The Tories would axe the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and replace it with a smaller local government department, Oliver Letwin has said.

The shadow chancellor also said he would make an announcement about tax plans in the 'next very few weeks'.

Mr Letwin warned plans to streamline Whitehall would not be painless.

But he insisted a Tory-commissioned review by ex-Dome chief David James to identify waste would demonstrate they could form a 'serious government'.

Targeted spending?

Mr Letwin said the review of the way Whitehall departments operated had been conducted 'line-by-line' by Mr James.

Announcements would follow on how a future Tory administration would target taxpayers' money at areas like health care, policing and defence.

Mr Letwin said scrapping John Prescott's office would save �2.3bn and he announced a further �4.43bn of efficiency savings that he said local authorities could implement to reduce council taxes.

In total, replacing the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, regional chambers and other local bodies would save �255m, Mr Letwin argued.

Cuts?

The Conservatives now claim to have identified �26bn of savings across government departments.

But Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said Conservative plans were not about efficiencies but about 'cuts to front-line services'.

'On top of these proposed new cuts, the Tories are already committed to huge cuts to the local government budget, while at the same time they acknowledge that real terms' growth is required to protect services,' he said.

'What we can be sure of is the devastating effects these proposals will have on our communities - it will mean cuts to local services and increases in council tax.'
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk_politics/4161923.stm

Published: 2005/01/10 14:"

BBC NEWS | Politics | Interview: Tim Yeo

BBC NEWS | Politics | Interview: Tim Yeo: "BBC NEWS
Interview: Tim Yeo
By Nick Assinder
Political Correspondent, BBC News website

Shadow environment and transport secretary Tim Yeo is in upbeat mood.


TIM YEO
Born: 20 March 1945 - son of the late Dr Kenneth John Yeo
Educated: Charterhouse, Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Family: Married with one son and one daughter
Job: Shadow Secretary of State for Environment and Transport

The Tory frontbencher is not prone to over-excitement. In his 21 years in the Commons he has enjoyed power, but also suffered the setbacks and disappointments which have marked the past seven years in opposition.

In power, he quietly and efficiently built a reputation as a good performer and safe pair of hands.

In opposition, he has worked in many of the frontbench jobs and under all three of the party's recent leaders.

But now, he believes that Michael Howard is offering the Tories the best chance since 1992 of winning a general election.

Tory problems

In an interview given before the tsunami disaster, he declared: 'I feel a much greater sense of excitement going into this election because it is possible for us to win it.

'The truth is whatever we said publicly in 2001 very few people thought we had a chance.

'And in 1997 we were at the fag end of long Tory government and we had a lot of problems in that government. (He resigned his own frontbench job after it was revealed he had fathered a child with a young Tory councillor).

'I have worked closely with Michael, with Iain Duncan Smith, with William Hague and I know we actually do have a chance of winning now which frankly I can't remember in my period in shadow cabinet ever really thinking under the other two.

'So I think for the first time since 1992 we go into an election with everything to play for.'

If that is really the case, isn't he dismayed the party appears stalled in the opinion polls. And who or wh"

Sunday, January 09, 2005

BBC NEWS | Politics | Howard unveils his Queen's Speech

BBC NEWS | Politics | Howard unveils his Queen's Speech: "BBC NEWS
Howard unveils his Queen's Speech
The Tories have named improving public services, controlling immigration and reducing taxes as top priorities in their 'alternative' Queen's Speech.

Conservative leader Michael Howard said the plans were aimed at showing his party was serious about tackling issues which really mattered to voters.

The proposals were published ahead of Tuesday's official Queen's Speech, which will set out government plans.

Labour said the Tory plans would return Britain to 'boom and bust misery'.

And Liberal Democrat chairman Matthew Taylor said the party had little to offer apart from cuts in paperwork.

'No improvement'

Speaking on Sunday, Mr Howard said Tony Blair would present 'the same old talk' at the Queen's Speech on Tuesday.

'After seven years under Tony Blair, crime is out of control, our hospitals are dirty and our immigration system is a shambles,' he said.

They have learned no lessons from their past
Alan Milburn, Labour's general election co-ordinator
'Taxes have shot up 66 times, but people see no improvement for their money.'

He said his party would concentrate on issues which mattered to ordinary voters.

Those included more police, cleaner hospitals, school discipline, controlled immigration, lower taxes.

The Tories' alternative speech promised:

* to cut back waste and bureaucracy in government in order to 'set Britain on a path to lower taxes'

* to introduce measures to cut teachers' paperwork and give head teachers complete control over exclusions from their schools

* to make secure cleaner hospitals and a safer environment for patients its 'highest priority' within the National Health Service

* to restore firmer entry controls into the UK and the creation of a points system for immigration to ensure priority is given to people who want to 'work hard and make a p"

BBC NEWS | UK | Oliver Letwin hints at tax cuts

BBC NEWS | UK | Oliver Letwin hints at tax cuts: "BBC NEWS
Oliver Letwin hints at tax cuts
Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin has given the strongest indication yet that the Tories will promise tax cuts at the next election.

Mr Letwin made his comments about the Tories' tax policy in an interview published in the Daily Telegraph.

He promises to resign if he does not deliver his pledges but stops short of making any specific commitments.

But Labour says any tax cuts would mean less money for frontline public services.

The Tories are looking at changing inheritance tax, stamp duty and income tax thresholds.

The Tory leadership is under mounting pressure to promise tax cuts - many MPs believe it is a clear message that will appeal to voters.

'�30bn waste'

Mr Letwin told the newspaper: 'We will make commitments about tax before the next election.

'They will be cast iron because they will be about what we do a month after the election in our first Budget and I will resign if we do not do them.'

Spending cuts of this magnitude could only be achieved by making massive cuts to front line services
Paul Boateng
The priorities will be raising income tax thresholds, reducing the burden of inheritance tax and raising the threshold for stamp duty.

The paper said the party would announce �30bn of waste had been found in government and bureaucracy.

Mr Letwin said better value for money in tax and public services would be a key message.

Easing the income tax burden for lower and middle income earners was a 'major option' for a commitment, he said.

'Massive cuts'

The chief secretary to the Treasury, Paul Boateng, attacked Mr Letwin's announcement.

'Oliver Letwin's policies are becoming more and more confused by the day. He said the Tories may increase taxes yet now he is suggesting he could cut them,' he said.

'Spending cuts of this magnitude could only be achieved by making massive cuts to front line s"

BBC NEWS | Health | Tories pledge free long-term care

BBC NEWS | Health | Tories pledge free long-term care: "BBC NEWS
Tories pledge free long-term care
Elderly and disabled people who financed their own long-term care for three years would receive free care after that, the Tories have pledged.

Andrew Lansley, the shadow health secretary, launched the Conservatives' policy on Thursday.

He said it would mean that nobody would be forced to sell their home in order to finance their care.

The pledge comes as a Health Service Ombudsman report criticises the current funding system.

Under a Conservative Government no one would be forced to sell their home to finance their long-term care.
Andrew Lansley
Campaigners have long condemned the fact that the current arrangements have forced many elderly and disabled patients to sell their own homes to pay for services.

Full NHS continuing care funding covers accommodation costs and all care needs.

But it is only available to those with 'complex, intense or unpredictable' nursing needs, and who have limited personal assets.

Decisions on who qualifies for this funding vary across the country, with each strategic health authority (SHA) having its own criteria.

The Ombudsman report says many patients applying for funding for long-term care face a lengthy 'hit-and-miss' process.

It calls for national minimum eligibility criteria to make sure that all those that need help receive it.

Respite care promise

Mr Lansley said the Tories would reform the current system.

He promised to set up a review into all long-term regulations on the first day of a Tory administration.

He also promised measures to boost short-term respite care available to relieve the pressure on carers.

This would enable more carers to continue supporting loved ones at home.

Mr Lansley said: 'Labour has failed to address the issue of Britain's long-term care crisis.

'Since 1997, 250,000 people have sold their homes to pay care home bill"

BBC NEWS | Politics | Howard denies split over ID cards

BBC NEWS | Politics | Howard denies split over ID cards: "BBC NEWS
Howard denies split over ID cards
Michael Howard has denied his shadow cabinet was split over its decision to back controversial Labour plans to introduce ID cards.

The Tory leader said his front bench team had reached a 'collective view' after holding a 'good discussion', but admitted it was 'not an easy issue'.

He had decided to support the plans as the police said they would help fight terror, crime and illegal immigration.

The Lib Dems have pledged to oppose the bill when it is debated next Monday.

ID cards could help police foil a terror bomb plot in which people could lose their lives
Michael Howard

Tory sources say senior party figures had argued vociferously against the ID card scheme.

Among those reported to have serious reservations over the strategy were senior shadow cabinet members David Davis, Oliver Letwin and Tim Yeo.

But Mr Howard denied Mr Yeo, his transport and environment spokesman, said the plans 'stink'.

He also said he was confident shadow home secretary Mr Davis would 'set out the position very clearly' when he stands up to debate the matter next week.

Mr Howard said the police had said ID cards could 'help them foil a terror bomb plot in which people could lose their lives'.

He added: 'When the police say that you have to take them seriously'.

'Hold to account'

He acknowledged there were 'good libertarian arguments' against the cards, but said the shadow Cabinet had weighed up all the 'conflicting interests' before reaching its decision.

'I don't pretend that it is an easy decision but at the end of the day a decision has to be taken.'

He also denied he was afraid of looking 'soft' on the issue, compared to Labour.

The Conservatives announced their support for the government plans on Monday evening.

Sources within the party told the BBC Mr Howard had always been in favour of ID cards,"

BBC NEWS | Politics | Howard unveils election platform

BBC NEWS | Politics | Howard unveils election platform: "Howard unveils election platform
Michael Howard visits Bedfordshire Police on Tuesday
Mr Howard says he is tuned in to public priorities
The Conservatives would stand up for the 'forgotten majority', Michael Howard pledged as he unveiled the first part of the Tory election manifesto.

The Tory leader argued there was a mass of people whom he says feel let down by Tony Blair and who share Tory values.

In the foreword to the manifesto, he promises to focus on restoring order, trying to lower taxes and giving power back to the people.

Labour says the document offers only a return to a 'failed Tory past'.

The Liberal Democrats say the Conservatives cannot win what they predict will be a three-party contest.

'British values'

Campaigning activity is accelerating ahead of the general election, which is widely tipped for May but could be any time before June 2006.

Labour on Monday postponed a launch of election posters because of the Asian tsunami disaster.

The party will drip-feed chapters of its manifesto in coming weeks.


Tony Blair asked the forgotten majority to trust him and when they did, he let them down
Michael Howard
Conservative leader

Unveiling the first instalment in Northamptonshire, Mr Howard said a 'forgotten majority' made up the backbone of Britain.

They were people who were saving for their first home or their retirement, working hard and accepting their responsibilities.

He says in the manifesto foreword: 'They have been forgotten, neglected and taken for granted by Mr Blair.'

Disorder worries

Mr Howard argues government is too big and cannot continue 'down the path of ever rising taxes'.

He promises to ensure frontline professionals, parents and patients make the key decisions rather than Whitehall 'bureaucrats'.

And he says the Tories would get a grip on crime, immigration and disorder.

'The decline of responsibility and the proliferation of"

BBC NEWS | Politics | Tories 'would cut number of MPs'

BBC NEWS | Politics | Tories 'would cut number of MPs'

BBC NEWS
Tories 'would cut number of MPs'
The Conservative Party would cut the number of MPs by about one-fifth if they were elected, Tory leader Michael Howard has said.

The plan forms part of the party's "smaller government bill", to be unveiled later this week.

Mr Howard told the Sunday Times the party would also reduce the number of government special advisers.

And he said a referendum would be held in Wales to decide whether or not to scrap the Welsh Assembly.

Civil servants

The changes would all take place within five years of the Conservatives winning a general election, Mr Howard told the paper.

We don't want this like the House of Lords reform, getting to one stage and then not having the next stage
Michael Howard

The precise number of MPs to go would depend on the result of the Welsh referendum, but it would probably mean a reduction of around 120 from the current total of 659.

If Wales decided to keep its assembly it would stand to lose more MPs.

Mr Howard said as both parties planned to cut the number of civil servants at Whitehall - Labour by more than 80,000 and the Tories by almost 100,000 - they should accept a similar drop in their own numbers.

"It is all very well saying government departments should be reduced, but what about ministers, Parliament and special advisers?" he said.

Shadow leader of the Commons Oliver Heald said: "This will be part of our aim to reduce unnecessary and costly interference in people's lives by reducing the size and role of the State".

'Big bang'

Mr Howard said the plan would also even out the "great unfairness" of there being proportionately more Scottish and Welsh MPs at Westminster than those from England.

The average size of an English constituency was 70,000 people, Mr Howard said. In Northern Ireland it was just over 66,000, in Wales just over 59,000 and in Scotland 53,000.

The number of Welsh MPs would be set at an amount that was "consistent and fair in terms of representation with the rest of the United Kingdom" if the assembly was scrapped.

Mr Howard said the changes should be carried out quickly and could even be implemented by the election after next.

"You have got to have a big bang. We don't want this like the House of Lords reform, getting to one stage and then not having the next stage."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk_politics/4125407.stm

Published: 2004/12/26 02:02:51 GMT

© BBC MMV