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Government of Wales Bill

Of course, the order would be the result of very considerable consultation on the nature of the referendum and when it would take place. It would be unprecedented for a referendum question to be set in an Order in Council. Putting a referendum question on a matter concerning devolution on the face of primary legislation is not an unvarying rule, as the Northern Ireland Negotiations (Referendum) Order 1998, made under Section 4 of the Northern Ireland Act shows. The point is that in each case the legislation has been framed in a way that best gives effect to the policy requirements. We recognise that the Order in Council is a process—we debated this point at some length earlier—which presumes very extensive consultation and very extensive scrutiny before any such order is tabled before the House. Therefore, the noble Lord will recognise that representations in regard to the order will be conducted on the widest possible basis before any order is tabled.