'Only democracy' stands in way of Welsh progress

Monday, 11 July 2005 12:00 AM

Welsh secretary Peter Hain insisted today that the government was not putting barriers in the way of Wales' progress as he outlined plans to give the Welsh assembly more powers.

However, the assembly would only get the power to pass primary legislation if two thirds of assembly members - and a majority of the Welsh people - voted for it, he added.

Speaking at a conference on the Welsh white paper, Mr Hain said the government was looking at giving the assembly the power to make its own laws rather just secondary legislation, as it does at present.

However, that would be a "fundamental change" to the Welsh devolution settlement. Before it could take place, there would have to be a two-thirds vote in the assembly, which would trigger a referendum where a majority vote would be needed.

"Some say we are putting barriers in the way of primary powers. Nonsense. I will be the first government minister in Welsh history to put before parliament a bill to legislate for primary powers." Mr Hain said.

"But pretty well everyone understands why a referendum is needed, and there is no point in going for a referendum if the answer is likely to be no. Commonsense dictates that you go for a referendum when there is a consensus to do so. A two-thirds majority vote in the assembly will demonstrate that.

"Secondly, the referendum itself will be decided by a simple majority of those voting: hardly a barrier, just democracy."

The white paper would also give the assembly wider and more permissive powers to determine how laws should be implemented in Wales, and a simpler, more streamlined legislative process to prevent it having to struggle for space in the Queen's Speech.

Its bids for new policies or changes to laws would not have to go through a full scrutiny process, Mr Hain said, but would be determined by a straightforward vote in both houses of parliament.

"Our proposals mean that more legislation will be 'made in Wales' by assembly members. And they mean that the assembly government will be able to secure more effectively and more quickly the legislative tools it needs," he said.

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