Peter Hain

The new Welsh secretary has been pressed to improve relations between backbenchers in Cardiff and London.

Labour MP Ian Lucas suggested to Peter Hain that relations between assembly members and MPs could be "greatly improved".

"Would it not be a useful innovation to have joint committees of backbench assembly members meeting with backbench members of parliament to discuss legislation for Wales," asked the Wrexham MP.

Hain said he would look at the idea and would welcome any other proposals to improve legislation for Wales.

He also said that devolution was "working well" with the assembly and government acting in partnership.

But Conservative MP Nicholas Winterton pointed to research from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, which found most voters believe the assembly had made little difference to public services in the principality.

Hain replied: "The fact is that the National Assembly has been making a real difference, as we always knew - as the architects of devolution - that it would."

Speaking during his first session of Welsh questions since being promoted to the Cabinet post, the Welsh secretary paid tribute to his predecessor, Paul Murphy, who he said had done an "excellent job".

Plaid Cymru's Simon Thomas welcomed Hain to his new role.

"We look forward to the honourable member making some jinking runs down the left wing," he said, alluding to Hain's reputation as a sometimes outspoken left-winger.

And the party's Elfyn Llwyd congratulated him and wished him well. "Not too well of course," he joked.

Hain said that was the first "best wishes" he'd ever had from Plaid Cymru.

"I'm not sure whether I should thank him for it but I will in a spirit of chivalry."

Liberal Democrat spokesman Lembit Opik said it was "great to see the minister back in Wales".

"We've missed him and I wish him every success in the run up to when I take on the job myself in 2006."

Hain said the generosity from all sides was likely to prove "a one question time only experience".