Rhodri Morgan launched the Welsh pledges alongside Peter Hain

The pledges echoed those already revealed by Prime Minister Tony Blair, but emphasis was placed on the party's achievements through devolution.

There was no pledge to limit waiting times to 18 weeks, but Labour leaders said the aim was the same.

Promises on crime, health, education and immigration matched those already unveiled last week.

But there were some differences reflecting the fact that some key areas of responsibility lie in Cardiff, rather than London.

In England, Labour has guaranteed that patients will wait no more than 18 weeks for hospital treatment, with a choice over where and when they will go.

In Wales, the pledge guarantees only "shorter" waiting times, as well as "action on health improvement and smoking".

The General Election could take place on 5 May

But a pledge aimed at families with young children is more specific for Wales.

Voters in England are promised expansion of the Sure Start programme for disadvantaged children and "more help for parents balancing work with family life".

Those in Wales will have "more choice over parental leave for mums and dads, more childcare for under-fives, and after school care for over-fives".

The three, unchanged pledges include Labour's plans for keeping inflation and interest rates low, helping people back to work, increasing the minimum wage and assisting for first time buyers.

The party also pledges local policing teams, crackdowns on graffiti, gangs and drug-dealers, as well as stricter controls to combat asylum abuse and illegal immigration, and the introduction of identity cards.

During the launch at Labour's Welsh headquarters, First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: "The close partnership between Labour in Wales and Labour in Westminster is vital to the Welsh economy and Welsh public service investment."

Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain, also at the launch, added: "The same destination will be reached in Wales as in England under Labour and only under Labour.