Lord Morris: Hain 'failed to understand devolution'

Lord John Morris of Aberavon - Welsh Secretary for five years in the 1970s - criticised Mr Hain's record in delivering new laws for Wales and said he had failed to understand devolution.

He has attacked Mr Hain's record for securing Parliamentary time for the new laws demanded by the Welsh assembly.

Only one bill in this year's Queen's Speech affects Wales alone - Lord Morris says this is "pretty poor reward" for Mr Hain's efforts.

He highlighted the government's opposition to the assembly's call for a ban on smoking in public places.

This showed, he said, a failure on Mr Hain's part to comprehend what devolution is about.

His comments were dismissed by the Wales Office, which said seven of the 30 new bills and draft laws in this year's Queen's Speech had significant Welsh elements.