Clause 92 — Assembly measures

Part of Orders of the Day — Government of Wales Bill — [1st Allotted Day] – in the House of Commons at 6:00 pm on 23 January 2006.

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Photo of Nick Ainger Nick Ainger Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Office of the Secretary of State for Wales 6:00, 23 January 2006

That is a slur on not only the right hon. Gentleman, but all English Members of Parliament. Of course they have exactly the same powers and defences regarding legislation. Now that we are giving the Welsh Assembly the power to make Assembly Measures, it requires the same protection as Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Scottish Parliament.

We have had a good run around all the issues. Obviously, we are still trying to persuade the new Conservative party—if I may call it that, given its position on devolution—to accept that they have to let go a bit. I hate to use this term, but perhaps it is still a little anally retentive. It is time to move forward and realise that the enhanced legislative powers will be good for the Assembly and for Wales, and certainly do not require a referendum.