BBC NEWS | Programmes | BBC Parliament | Government of Wales Bill

RECENT VOTES

AIM

This bill enhances the legislative powers of the National Assembly for Wales and reforms the system for electing members.

MAIN PROVISIONS

TIMETABLE

Responsible department: Wales

Origin: House of Commons

Introduced: 8 Dec 2005

Second reading: 9 Jan 2006

Committee stage: 23, 24 & 30 Jan 2006

Remaining stages: 27 & 28 Feb 2006

Consideration of Lords amendments: 18 July 2006

LORDS:

First reading: 1 March 2006

Second reading: 22 March 2006

Committee stage: 19 April, 23 May & 6 June 2006

Report stage: 27 & 28 June 2006

Third reading: 13 July 2006

Consideration of Commons reasons: 24 July 2006

ROYAL ASSENT: 25 July 2006

A separate legislature and executive would replace the corporate status of the assembly

Expanding the assembly's legislative powers

Changing the electoral system. For example Labour wants to prevent people from standing in first-past-the-post and list elections

KEY VOTES

18 July 2006 Consideration of Lords Amendments

Disagree with amendment (3) permitting candidates to stand both as individuals and on list for Assembly elections Ayes 294 Noes 213

Disgree with amendments (17, 21, 22) to limit retrospective orders which may alter previous effects of legislation Ayes 287 Noes 153

Disagree with amendment (18) to prevent Secretary of State's veto of Assembly votes for referendum Ayes 294 Noes 189

27 June 2006 Lords Report stage

LibDem peer Lord Livsey of Talgarth proposes to ensure that there is cross-party representation on the Assembly Commission - agreed by 194 votes to 133.

Similarly, Tory peer Lord Henley suggests that the affiliation of committee members should reflect a balance of political parties - agreed by 181 votes to 131.

Another Tory amendment, tabled by Baroness Noakes, to permit renaming of the Audit Committee - agreed by 155 votes to 127.

Click here for more details

6 June 2006 Lords Committee stage

LibDem peer Lord Thomas of Gresford suggests certain caveats in the restriction of the competence of the Assembly - rejected by 134 votes to 56.

27 Feb 2006 Commons Remaining stages