§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on constitutional changes necessary for the transfer of powers to regional assemblies. [154392]
§ Mr. RaynsfordI have been asked to reply.
Voters in a region will first need to vote "yes" in a referendum under the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003. An Act of Parliament will then be needed to establish elected regional assemblies, allow elections to take place, set out their constitution and transfer powers to them.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will do its best to publish before the first referendums a draft Regional Assemblies Bill addressing these issues.