Question
I commend the Government on granting Cornwall, by exception, a single-authority FSA—foundation strategic authority—devolution deal. I have been proud to work with all of Cornwall’s MPs and the council leader on this, and Cornwall is very much relieved that it will not be merged with any other region. Will the Minister now meet all of Cornwall’s MPs to discuss how we can move to that mayoral suite of powers and funding, without a mayor, as new legislation comes before this House?
Answer
I understand that all MPs were invited to the meeting at No. 10 North about devolution, which is good news. That shows just how importantly we are taking this; it is a Government-wide priority and we are working across our different teams to ensure that it lands. I hope the hon. Gentleman also recognises that, for Cornwall, we are working as hard as we can to recognise that different places are in different positions on devolution, but, ultimately, we want to complete the map, either through a foundation authority or through an MSA.33% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (38/100)
The reply partly answers both parts of the question. On whether the Minister will meet all of Cornwall's MPs, it describes an earlier No. 10 meeting that all MPs were invited to, but gives no commitment to a future meeting. On how Cornwall could get mayoral-style powers and funding without a mayor, it names a foundation authority and a Mayoral Structural Adjustment route, but does not explain how either would deliver those powers. Because the answers are largely hedged and leave the core points open, the person who asked would likely need to follow up for specifics.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Minister now meet all of Cornwall's MPs. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply says all MPs were invited to a No. 10 devolution meeting, which is concrete but describes a past invitation rather than whether the Minister will meet all of Cornwall's MPs. The remaining statement about cross-government working does not answer the question of a future meeting. |
| What is the Government's position on how Cornwall could move to the mayoral suite of powers and funding without a mayor, as new legislation comes before the House. | Partially Addressed | Direct | The reply names a concrete non-mayoral route, a foundation authority, alongside an MSA as the way to complete the devolution map. It does not explain how Cornwall could access the mayoral suite of powers and funding without a mayor, so the answer is incomplete. |