Mr Morgan revealed his views when questioned by AMs

His comments to Assembly Members on Tuesday afternoon were his clearest indication to date on two of the big issues for the future of devolution.

During first minister's questions he said: "The broad thrust of my own personal belief is that it would be better if we had primary legislative powers and it would give us more capability to do more good things for the people of Wales, but I take the completely opposite view on tax-varying powers."

His comments came as the Richard Commission, the body looking into the future of the devolution settlement in Wales, put the finishing touches to its final report.

Now that he has admitted that he favours more powers, I hope he will add his voice to those of others in the assembly calling for extra powers Lib Dem Mike German

Both Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats have welcomed his words.

Mr Morgan had until now resisted calls to make his views public, and told AMs that he had been keeping his view largely under wraps while the commission was drawing up its report.

Mike German, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the assembly, said: "The first minister has consistently dodged this question, claiming he had expressed his views in a speech at Bangor University.

"Today, I tracked down that speech and found no statement at all about his views on future powers for the assembly.

"Now that he has admitted that he favours more powers, I hope he will add his voice to those of others in the assembly calling for extra powers."

The commission was due to complete its deliberations over the weekend, with its report due to be published on 31 March.

The Westminster government is understood to have declared three "no-go" areas on the issue of further powers for the assembly.

These are thought to be tax-varying powers, any cut in the number of MPs, and anything requiring a referendum.

The commission, set up in 2002, has been examining the assembly's work since the devolved body was set up in 1999.