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Welsh Questions in the House of Commons is the monthly opportunity for English Tory MPs to make supportive enquiries of Cheryl Gillan and her deputy David Jones.

No fewer than five of the first nine questions (chosen by ballot) for today's half-hour session were tabled by Conservative MPs from east of Offa's Dyke.

Tories from Burton, Stroud, Harlow, Chester and Chelsea and Fulham queued up to discuss Welsh issues. (Cheryl Gillan jargonwatch: "Barnettised consequentials 1, quadrialterals 0").

The debate had a familiar air. Labour and Plaid Cymru wanted to know why the UK Government has yet to agree to electrify the First Great Western rail line between London and Swansea. The Government pointed out that Labour failed to electrify the line during its 13 years in government.

Peter Hain dug out an invitation to a Conservative fund-raiser in Chesham and Amersham on April 1, where the guests include both Cheryl Gillan and David Jones.

The invite, since passed to me, offers: "Coffee from 10.00 am followed by AGM at 10.30 am Speakers from 11.00 am with Ploughman's Lunch at 12.30 pm followed by Raffle."

There will also be a speaker from the "No to AV" campaign - there are some referendums even the Wales Office team get involved in.

Cheryl Gillan told Peter Hain that a letter she'd received from his wife made more sense.

Plaid Cymru's Elfyn Llwyd later had a chance to question the Prime Minister. He put forward an idea for tackling the issue of bankers' bonsues - that bankers who trousered large bonuses should not receive honours in future.

David Cameron was not unsympathetic but made the Elfynometer blush by congratulating Mr Llwyd on his own recent honour - membership of that mainstay of the British constitution, the .

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