STOPPING Welsh MPs from voting on issues in England which concern them would be "wholly wrong", a Conservative former Welsh secretary has said.

David Jones told the Commons a large number of Welsh people are heavily reliant on services provided in England, as he warned against preventing their MPs from being denied a voice on such matters.

Speaking as backbenchers responded to proposals for English devolution, Mr Jones asked Commons Leader William Hague: "Would you agree with me it would be wrong to equate the positions of Wales and Scotland?

"Do you as a former secretary of state for Wales himself acknowledge that large numbers of people in Wales are heavily reliant on services delivered in England and therefore it would be wholly wrong if the representatives of those people were to be denied a voice on issues which so clearly concern them?"

Mr Hague replied: "I think this is exactly why some of the options that are presented in the command paper provide the opportunity to deal with that difficulty.

"One of them, of course, on option three for instance, Members of Parliament would be able to continue to vote and speak on all issues - it's simply that they would require the consent of the English MPs to legislate on English matters.

"In addition, on a small number of cross-border issues where there is a structural dependence - our healthcare in Wales is one of those instances - there's a strong case for a wide definition of what constitutes an English matter so others can be involved."

Tory MP John Redwood  led Conservative backbench calls for changes to how politicians in Westminster approach laws which only affect England.

Mr Redwood told Mr Hague: "England expects English votes for English issues and we expect simplicity and justice now. No ifs, no buts, no committee limitations, no tricks, give us what we want - we've waited 15 years for this.

"Will you now join me in speaking for England?"

Mr Hague replied: "Yes, for the whole of the United Kingdom I hope, including England.

Under the options set out by Mr Hague, English MPs would have the power to kick out Government bills, with three proposals put forward by the Conservatives to reform the way laws currently progress through Parliament.

Under the most radical option, English MPs would have a separate vote in which they could veto any legislation - forcing the Government either to abandon the proposals or make changes to secure majority support.

Another option would mean English-only bills would go to an English-only grand committee at second reading and the remaining stages would be governed by a convention that means MPs from other nations would not vote.

A final option sets out plans that would allow only English MPs to consider the amending stages of legislation that relates only to England but the final vote would be open to all MPs.

All three proposals would involve Welsh MPs where legislation also relates to Wales.