Over a thousand people took part in the poll in Wales

Sixty-one per cent of those questioned were in favour of politicians in Cardiff Bay being allowed to make laws for Wales.

But a majority of those questioned were against giving assembly members the power to raise taxes.

More than a 1,000 people in Wales were polled by ICM.

According to the survey, 61% were in favour of giving the assembly powers to make laws for Wales, while 34% were against.

But on giving the assembly powers to raise taxes in Wales, 52% opposed the idea against 43% in favour of tax-raising powers.

More power for the assembly? Additional powers: 52% Should be abolished : 25% Stay the same: 19% Don't know: 4%

The poll shows that the age group keenest on primary legislative powers for Cardiff Bay was 25 to 34 year olds, with 73% of people in this age bracket were in favour of the move.

Labour politicians said that the poll showed the Welsh public supported its policy of "evolutionary" devolution.

Cardiff West MP Kevin Brennan said: "It shows that people are generally in tune with Labour's approach of steady progress - an evolutionary process towards devolution - and it shows we are moving along the right lines."

But Plaid Cymru assembly leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said: "The only party leader in Wales who doesn't want law making powers in the short term is Rhodri Morgan.

What kind of powers ? Law making: 61% Against further powers: 34% Don't know : 5%

"It's a clear message for Rhodri Morgan: 'come behind the people of Wales, lead the campaign, and by the end of the year we could have won the referendum to make sure that this assembly turns into a proper parliament'."

Assembly Liberal Democrat leader Mike German said that it was clear from the poll that the people of Wales want to see the assembly "grow into a senedd, a proper Parliament for Wales."

Conservative leader in the assembly, Nick Bourne, said the poll showed the present devolution settlement was unsatisfactory.

He added: "I think we have at the moment an insecure settlement which cannot persist.

"We either need to move forward to legislative powers or abolish the assembly and I think that's not an option. "we've got to see how we can move things forward and that's got to mean legislative powers."

The Tories' shadow secretary for Wales, Bill Wiggin, has favoured the scrapping of the assembly, but said it a decision for the people of Wales.