MR TONY BLAIR came out on top yesterday in the first head-to-head Commons debate with the British Prime Minister on Labour's constitutional reform plans that include the creation of a Scottish parliament and reform of the Lords.
But the Labour leader stumbled badly when he promised to provide an answer to the famous constitutional flaw in his plans, the West Lothian Question, and failed to do so.
Mr Major, who initiated the debate in the belief that constitutional reform is one of Labour's most vulnerable areas, reiterated his objections to Labour's plans.
But the Prime Minister's message was essentially negative, allowing Mr Blair to come across as the more prime ministerial. Parliament was held in such low esteem that the status quo was not an option, the Labour leader said.
Mr Blair faced a succession of Tory Ministers and MPs who challenged him to explain the West Lothian Question, the anomaly that Scottish MPs at Westminster would be able to vote on English health, education and other issues after a Scottish parliament was created but English MPs could not vote on similar Scottish issues.
The Labour leader promised MPs he would answer the question but, to shouts for derision from the Tory side, moved on without apparently having done so. Mr Blair's spokesman insisted afterwards that he had done so when he said that parliament was sovereign and if it chose to devolve powers to a Scottish parliament then that was that.
Opening the debate, Mr Major said: "Devolution plans cloak separatist ambitions. The Labour and Liberal parties may believe they are buying off the separatists. I believe they are selling out to them." He added: "The Labour leader has the opportunity to make history today. He can answer the West Lothian Question."
He also wanted to know if the number of Scottish MPs would be cut and if tax-raising powers planned for a Scottish parliament would be extended to a Welsh assembly.
He produced laughter on the Opposition benches when he said the Labour and Liberal Democrats' plan to hold a referendum on the introduction of proportional representation would lead to "backroom deals".
Labour MPs pointed in derision at the Ulster Unionists, who on Monday made a deal with the Prime Minister to keep his government in power.