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Government of Wales Bill

Yes, there are problems with the parliamentary timetable. The noble Lord makes my point. That was only one of two Bills which got into the legislative programme for that year. That is not satisfactory. For the Assembly to prove its worth, it must have the tools to carry out its policies. It looks at various issues very carefully through the committee system, which we have all approved of, and brings forward sensible measures, some of which get through, and some of which do not. This is a way immediately to give the Assembly a chance to prove itself. The more it proves itself, the greater are the chances of a referendum to bring in Part 4 being successful. The quicker that happens, the more chances there will be. While the noble Lord, Lord Roberts, is asking for a referendum about commencement of Assembly measures provisions, it is just too early. It does not solve the problem that we face. The Assembly measures provisions will bring about a form of primary legislation—I have already conceded that to the noble Lord, Lord Kingsland—but that is a step in the right direction. Let us welcome it together and build in the next five years towards bringing in Part 4. I have criticisms of the mechanisms which I shall pursue in later amendments. I hope that your Lordships will hear about them in due course. For the moment, I regret that we cannot support this amendment.