Government of Wales Bill

This is a large group of amendments, and I hope that the House will bear with me as I address them in turn. I am conscious of the time, and I have a feeling that this will be a long speech. Conservative amendments Nos. 180 and 211 would add a requirement for an Assembly resolution on a draft Order in Council amending schedule 5 to be approved by at least two thirds of all Assembly Members. The hon. Member for Beaconsfield asked why, if the Government insisted on a two-thirds majority for an Order in Council in relation to a referendum, we did not require a two-thirds majority in relation to the Order in Council process and so on. The answer is simple. We seek a two-thirds majority for a referendum because there must be consensus that there is a view throughout Wales— To report progress and ask leave to sit again.—[Kevin Brennan.] Committee report progress; to sit again tomorrow.