Government of Wales Bill

moved Amendment No. 45:"Page 52, line 11, leave out paragraph (b)." The noble Lord said: My Lords, in speaking to Amendment No. 45 I shall also speak to Amendments Nos. 49 and 51. The effect of Amendment No. 45 omits laying the Order in Council before it is approved by a resolution by each House of Parliament. Amendment No. 49 reduces the time taken to lay the draft before Parliament from 60 to 30 days. The Secretary of State must give written reasons if that is not done. We believe that is a necessary process. The Assembly resolution would be received and submitted. The Clerk of the Assembly, not the Secretary of State, should then submit draft Orders in Council, once they have been approved, for approval by Her Majesty in Council. Amendment No. 51 would reduce the time period from 60 days to 30 days in a situation where Parliament had been prorogued or adjourned. The amendments together provide that a draft Order in Council cannot be either submitted to Parliament or rejected by the Secretary of State; it can only be sent to the Queen for approval. The amendments were designed to liberate the Assembly from the grip of Westminster. They would give more power to the Assembly by removing some of the delaying powers and possible blocking by the Secretary of State or Parliament. We believe that that procedure would assist and perhaps help to solve the problem mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Kingsland, that the Secretary of State would have too much power. I beg to move.