Government of Wales Bill

We are discussing Wales, not Northern Ireland, which is another matter. My Committee highlighted the concern to which I just referred and it recommended that, should a first referendum return a no vote, a subsequent one should not be held for a further two National Assembly terms. We believe that that is perfectly reasonable. Unlike my right hon. Friend the Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams), I approach this issue as an enthusiast of devolution. That may sound contradictory, but I believe that we have to show respect for the decisions taken by the people of Wales, and to give some time for reflection. I shall develop that point in a moment. Both the Secretary of State and the First Minister acknowledge that, if a first referendum failed to deliver a yes result, a period of reflection would be necessary. Similarly, they are both of the view that a no result would put the issue off the agenda in Wales for a very long time. I agree with that view, as did my Committee, but I do not agree with the Government that the provisions already contained in the Bill are sufficient to prevent short-term repeated referendums, even if undertaken only as a political exercise. My amendment, which was inspired by the Welsh Affairs Committee’s recommendations, would ensure that short-term repeated referendums could not happen. It would set a time limit within which a subsequent referendum could not be held—a further two Assembly general elections. My amendments have two benefits. First, those in favour of granting primary powers, those against doing so, and the Welsh public at large—be they indifferent or undecided—would be clear about the implications of a no result. Such information is important if an informed decision is to be made.