§ 49. Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Lord President of the Council if he has any plans to introduce a separate Bill on devolution for Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John SmithAs my right hon. Friend the Lord President announced to the House on 25th May, the Government considered the possibility of having separate Bills for Scotland and Wales but decided to keep to a single combined Bill. Separate Bills would demand too much parliamentary time for both to pass in a single Session.
§ 51. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Lord President of the Council how many letters he has received in the last two months on the question of devolution and what reply he has made.
§ Mr. John SmithMy right hon. Friend received about 21 letters on devolution in this period. All were fully considered and received replies bearing on the particular points raised in the correspondence.
§ 52. Mr Montgomeryasked the Lord President of the Council how many days of the next parliamentary Session he in tends to allocate to debates on devolution.
§ Mr. John SmithIt is still too early for a forecast to be made.