A Lords debate on the Barnett formula, the controversial Government funding mechanism for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, was unexpectedly cancelled on Tuesday because of a shortage of parliamentary time.

Twenty peers had put their names down to speak about last year's inquiry, chaired by Labour former Cabinet minister Lord Richard, into possible changes to the formula.

The unusually long list included Tory former Scottish Secretaries Lord Forsyth of Drumlean and Lord Lang of Monkton and Labour former Treasury Chief Secretary Lord Barnett, who invented the formula in the 1970s and now wants it reformed.

But the Government's business managers had under-estimated how long peers would spend debating the previous business, the report stage of the Bribery Bill, which did not end until 8.16pm.

The House generally aims to rise by about 10pm, so there was insufficient time to debate the Barnett report. Government chief whip Lord Bassam of Brighton said he would do his best to find an alternative date.

The cancelled debate would have been an opportunity to exchange views with ministers on the future of the formula, although no decisions would have been taken.