I have no doubt that my noble friend on the Front Bench will have a note that says ““resist””. However, the whole principle of the Barnett formula has to be dealt with. There is no time like the present to make a start, so the Government have to set up a consultation. I hear what my noble friend Lord Steel says—that it will be difficult to implement quickly—but it is not going to be implemented quickly if I know the workings of commissions. It will take time.
As a former Minister in the Scottish Office who benefited undoubtedly from the terms of the Barnett formula, I know only too well that it is a very difficult thing to defend when you are talking to Welsh Ministers and others in England. The noble Lord, Lord Barnett, is quite right to bring forward this amendment at this time. I have no doubt that it is something that the Government may not wish to include in the terms of this Bill, but that is no excuse for not giving us a clear assurance that they will start work on this whole business, which has been so detrimental to the situation for so long.
Scotland Bill
Proceeding contribution from
Lord Sanderson of Bowden
(Conservative)
in the House of Lords on Wednesday, 28 March 2012.
It occurred during Debate on bills on Scotland Bill.
Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
736 c1520 
Session
2010-12
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House of Lords chamber
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