THE Coalition Government will next week risk intensifying accusations it is disrespecting Scotland by unveiling a review that could restrict Scots MPs' voting rights in the House of Commons.
The Tory-LibDem Coalition is expected to press ahead with its long-awaited commission on the so-called West Lothian Question.
Labour have previously condemned the body, claiming that it will act only as a "sop" to Tory English backbenchers.
The move also risks claims it is a blunder at a time when tensions between Edinburgh and London are riding high.
Among its likely outcomes are a proposal of "English votes for English issues". English MPs complain it is unfair that Scottish MPs can vote on matters such as education and health, which do not affect their constituents because of devolution.
But Scottish Labour MPs warn that the move could create a two-tier House of Commons.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg pledged to hold the commission shortly after the Coalition came to power in 2010. However, since then progress on the body has been slow.
However, it is understood that ministers will next week announce the membership and chair of the commission as well as its terms of reference.
It is expected that it will mainly be made up of experts on parliamentary issues, not MPs.
Coalition sources said last night that they could not hold off fulfilling their commitment to press ahead with the commission because of the potential of Scottish independence.
The SNP already refrain from voting on England-only issues. But Scottish Labour MPs faced accusations under the last government that they were pushing through laws that would only affect England.
Scottish Labour MP Willie Bain said: "I am vigorously opposed to having two classes of MP. Devolution works for Scotland and works for the United Kingdom and Scottish Labour will defend it and fight for it.
"This Government has messed with our constitution in a piecemeal and selfishly partisan manner over the last 20 months.
"I see no reason why this commission, on which the Government has sought no input from other political parties on its membership nor terms of reference, will be any different."
The term West Lothian Question was coined by former MP Tam Dalyell in the 1970s. He asked why he would be able to vote on issues that affected Blackburn, Lancashire, but not Blackburn, West Lothian.
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