Mark Pritchard MP replies

ROAD PRICING AND DEMOCRACY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM Thank you for both your letters.
As you are probably aware, I was a sponsor of an Early Day Motion on road pricing and that EDM makes my position clear.
On funding for English counties and local authorities, I agree that the current Government has manipulated the Barnett Formula to strengthen its own heartlands, not only in Scotland and Wales, but also in some parts of the north of England. I agree there needs to be a review of how the funding formula is agreed.

As you are also probably aware, the Conservative Party is likely to publish in its manifesto that English law should be voted on by English MPs, perhaps by having a special English sitting day within the existing Westminster Parliament. Clearly the details of any such policy will be announced prior to the next election. I think this would deal with many of the democratic deficit points that you quite rightly raise.

Yours sincerely,