§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 18 December 2002,Official Report, column 811W, on referendums if he will make a statement on the Government's criteria for determining on which subjects it is appropriate for referendums to be held. [92655]
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Member to my previous reply on 9 January 2003,Official Report, column 306W, where I indicated that there are no criteria, set out in either the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act or elsewhere, for determining on which subjects it is appropriate for referendums to be held.
Dedicated primary legislation is required for any particular Referendum and the Government would of course, explain its reasons for deciding that the issue in question was suitable for a referendum.