Blair: won't let the Tories "stop us"

Blair and Major clash over the dispatch box (2 mins 25 secs)

Angry Scenes in the Commons as Major Accuses Blair of 'Broken Promises'

Tony Blair defended his decision to publish only a White Paper on devolution before the referendums are held in the autumn. During angry scenes in the Commons at Question Time, Mr Blair said that this was "plainly the most sensible way to proceed".

The second of the new-style 30-minute Prime Minister's question times gave Mr Major the opportunity for a prolonged assault on Labour's devolution plans.

Mr Major Opens the Batting

Mr Blair replied "The proposals will of course be published because it is that upon which the referendum is to be held."

Mr Major pressed the Prime Minister again, "I asked whether the Bill would be published, for you said some time ago, `Of course the Bill will be published in time for the referendum, because the referendum will take place on those proposals'.

"Why have you changed your mind? And if you've changed your mind, why didn't you have the courtesy to come and tell the House...for the distinction between the White Paper and the Bill will be well understood by the House and you. Wasn't it a matter of trust that you told us?"

Major: Blair has "broken promise"

Major tries again (1 minute)

Mr Blair said the position was absolutely clear "that it is the White Paper proposals that will be put to a referendum of the Scottish people.

"Wriggling and Wobbling"

"Isn't it the truth that the details of this policy are still in such a muddle that you cannot yet give detailed instructions to the draftsmen?"

Mr Blair replied "It is plainly sensible and right and in accordance with precisely what we said before the election that we will publish those proposals."

"Fingers in the Till . . ."

"Isn't this a contemptible way after one month of Government for you to treat the House of Commons and isn't it becoming apparent that this is typical of the arrogant way in which this Government behaves?"

To further Tory jeers and with Speaker Betty Boothroyd struggling to restore order, Mr Blair said: "In relation to fingers in the till, I really don't think that's a lesson we need from the Conservative Party."

"I Have Done a Little Research . . ."

"As for use of the guillotine, I have done a little research. The previous Conservative Government used the guillotine 59 times, six times they did so in advance of the committee stage.

"They are saying they never did it with constitutional Bills. They did it on the Single European Act and when they enforced the poll tax on Scotland.

Accusing the Prime Minister of "waffle", Mr Major asked: "Why did you promise the House the Bill would be published?

"Why did you make that promise and why haven't you now apologised that you have broken that promise?"

Mr Blair said: "The promise that I made is precisely the promise that we made at the election."

He repeated that Mr Dewar had promised the White Paper would be published before the House rises. "That is his position, that is my position.

"The Tories, with all their shouting and braying, want to stop us carrying out the mandate upon which we were elected and we won't let them stop us."

Later, Downing Street sources acknowledged that the Prime Minister should not have mentioned the Bill in the passage quoted by Mr Major and had allowed a "misunderstanding" to develop.