THE Archbishop of Wales is today expected to urge the House of Lords to make dramatic changes to the government's flagship devolution Bill. The Most Rev Dr Barry Morgan will call on peers to make sweeping amendments to the Government of Wales Bill. He wants the legislation to include a timetable for a referendum on giving the Welsh Assembly full law making powers. Under the current Bill the Assembly will "bid" to Westminster for "orders in council", which would allow AMs to frame a new law within a specific area. It also allows a referendum to be held on Scottish-style law making powers after a two-thirds Assembly majority and parliamentary approval. Crucially both orders of council and any future devolution referendum require the backing of the Welsh Secretary. The former Bishop of Bangor is concerned the Bill hands too much power to the Secretary of State. |