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Government of Wales Bill

My Lords, I am grateful to all those who have participated in this debate, especially to those who have supported the amendment, which I am convinced is absolutely right for the simple reason that the Bill spells out the proper procedure. It is not an easy procedure to follow, as we have already established. The two-thirds majority hurdle must be overcome in the Assembly. It is not just two-thirds of those who vote, it is two-thirds of the seats. That means that 40 out of 60 Members must vote for the Motion. Then, to abbreviate the procedure, the resolution must be approved by both Houses of this Parliament. It seems to me that the role of the Secretary of State in interfering in that process—the cut-off power that has been referred to, the power to say no and to veto the Assembly’s wish—deprives these Houses of Parliament of their right to say no. For that reason, I seek to test the opinion of the House. On Question, Whether the said amendment (No. 9) shall be agreed to? Their Lordships divided: Contents, 142; Not-Contents, 105.