Paddy Tipping argues for devolution

In a recent debate Paddy Tipping asked

Does the Chief Secretary accept that one important way to make efficiency gains is for central Government to have a more strategic, slimmed-down role, with resources devolved to local level, so that local solutions can be found for local problems?

Des Browne (Chief Treasury Secretary) replied

Absolutely—[Interruption.] Let me just make the point that, in the whole of my public and political life, I have been arguing for and supporting devolution. Certainly, no Back Bencher needs to persuade me of its importance, or of what it has delivered for Scotland. The most important thing for my hon. Friend and his constituents is not only that decisions are made at the appropriate level—and some of them ought to be devolved - but that we devolve jobs out of the south-east. Part of the process of the efficiency agenda involves moving jobs from London and the south-east to the regions of England, Scotland and elsewhere, and we have been successful in doing so.

(Note the way Des changes topic dramatically half way through, and uses the word devolution incorrectly. Relocating civil servants isn't devolution unless you also transfer control of them from central to regional level.)

This is not the first time Paddy Tipping has spoken in favour of devolution, for example this long speech back in 2001