Rights of Scots MPs raised at PMQ

PMQ was a lethargic affair this week, notable for some excellent questions from the LibDems and the recurring series of questions - and non-answers - about the financial state of the NHS. There was also an unusual intervention by the Speaker that is sure to raise some eyebrows at Westminster.
In what has become a grim weekly ritual, the PM started by paying florid tribute to the latest British casualties in Afghanistan. David Cameron tried to paint the ongoing mission as over-stretched. Blair responded that the mission is run by the Army, who had not yet requested additional manpower or equipment.
It was a difficult task for Cameron, who supported the invasion of Afghanistan, to try to imply that Blair was making a mess of it, while also supporting the actions of British troops on the ground. He failed to make any impact at all, and gave Blair ample opportunity to expand on the points he wanted to get across - democracy for the Afghan people, the importance of removing narcotics from the local economy and the fact that Germany, Italy and Spain have troops there too.
Minutes later a left-wing Labour rebel had a much more direct go at the PM over Afghanistan. Paul Flynn accused the government of driving Afghanis into the arms of the Taliban, and told Blair that bombs and bullets do not win hearts and minds. The PM dismissed him as absurd.
A long list of opposition MPs failed to learn the lessons of previous PMQ and moaned about closures of NHS services in their local area. They got the same answer as last week, and last month. Record investment in the NHS, X number of new nurses, doctors and consultants in their area, disappearing waiting lists. In the words of Gywneth Dunwoody, the PM went into automatic mode. Hardly effective questioning.
Rosie Cooper tried to turn the issue on its head by asking the PM to praise her local hospital - he did. Anne Snelgrove was the latest new MP to be told to stop waffling by the Speaker. Ian Paisley gave us a turn, condemning "Sinn-Fein/IRA" for boycotting the next meeting of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The PM responded that what the people of that troubled province need is proper devolution.
Devolution was another recurring theme of this PMQ, with Labour MPs reacting to the Conservative proposals to restrict the rights of Scottish members.
George Howarth raised some laughs by pointing out that as London has a powerful mayor, with his own foreign policy, that perhaps London MPs should be excluded from some votes.
Blair described the Tory plans as utterly irresponsible, but did not put forward any solutions to the growing clamour for the West Lothian question to be answered.
Glasgow MP Mohammed Sarwar was angrier, wanting to know if he would be reduced to a second-class MP from a second-class country. Not while we are in power was the PM's response.
David Cameron came back with a pertinent question - why were 300 of the 500 injured in the 7/7 bombings still waiting for compensation. It was an easy question for the PM - the payments agency is independent from government. He was sympathetic but none of the blame was attached to him. Cameron gave him another easy ride with his last question about the role of the Muslim community - did he imagine the PM was going to say we don't want more engagement?
The leader of the opposition was failing to make a mark on the PM yet again. Blair is a master of PMQ, but Cameron will have to work much harder to make an impact. His questions need to be less inclusive and more brutal.
Ming seems to have got the idea. He used his two questions to maximum effect, speaking without notes and keeping them short and sharp. The PM said in March that the new arrangements with the US regarding extradition were not unfair - was he still of that view?
For the first time, the PM looked slightly uncomfortable. He understood the concerns people had, but said the new arrangements merely brought the US into line with our extradition policy with the EU, Canada, Australia and others. As a barrister, Blair must have known what was coming next.
As a barrister, Ming Campbell knew just how to play it. "Reciprocity?" he spat out. "what could more unfair then extraditing people to the United States under a treaty the US won't even ratify?"
The PM struggled to defend the "probable cause" test the US uses when it extradites as "analogous" - but he was forced to offer support and assurances to British citizens being taken to America.
Given the recent press revelations about John Prescott and a series of meetings with casino billionaire, it was natural someone would ask a question.
Andrew Robothan, who is the Conservative Deputy Chief Whip, was seconds into a question about the DPM when the Speaker silenced him. The Speaker said that as the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards had already announced an investigation, there would be no discussion of that matter in the House.
This seemed like a bizarre decision. Although there may be issues around the declaration of interest which will be subject to that investigation, there are larger issues of judgment that MPs should be allowed to put to the PM.
It will be interesting to see if anyone challenges the Speaker over the issue in the coming days.