Assembly Members could gain more muscle in their new home

The Government of Wales Bill would allow Assembly Members to draft more laws in areas like health and education.

If passed, it will also change the way AMs are elected and paves the way for the assembly to acquire full law-making powers after a referendum.

But the Labour plans have faced strong opposition from some opposition MPs.

The bill would transform the ability of the assembly to pass new laws and see major changes to the electoral system.

If you are confident that this move is right for the people of Wales then you should let them have their say Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan

These would include abolishing the right of assembly candidates to stand both in constituencies and on regional lists.

It also introduces provision for the assembly to acquire full law-making powers, although only after a referendum in Wales.

Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain, said during the bill's second reading on Monday that devolution needs to "evolve further".

He said: "This is ground-breaking legislation which could lead to Wales winning full law-making powers sometime in the future.

"The bill delivers a lasting settlement which I believe will settle the divisive constitutional argument in Wales for a generation or more.

"The bill also ensures that, for the first time ever, primary powers for Wales are on the statute book subject to a referendum of the people of Wales."

Electoral changes

Shadow Welsh Secretary, Cheryl Gillan, said the Conservatives regarded devolution and the assembly as "established features" but called for a referendum on increased powers.

She told Mr Hain: "If you are confident that this move is right for the people of Wales then you should let them have their say."

The bill proposes changes to the assembly electoral system with Mr Hain insisting it is unfair that some AMs are elected via regional lists despite losing in constituencies.

The bill would force candidates to choose one option.

But Conservative MPs have said the proposed changes are designed to rig the system in Labour's favour.

Ms Gillan said the bill was a "blatant alteration of the electoral system to favour the Welsh Labour Party".

'Actually limited'

She added: "This bill...proposes a hybrid system of enhanced legislative powers that weakens Parliament and the role of Welsh MPs while fundamentally changing the 1999 devolution settlement without giving the people of Wales a vote or a voice."

Liberal Democrat Wales spokesman Lembit Opik described the bill as "flawed, patronising and actually limited".

It provided "nowhere near" the extent of the powers which many Welsh people wanted, he said.

Although he said there were "major reservations" about the bill, he said that the Liberal Democrats would support it on the understanding that the government listened to complaints about unsatisfactory elements.

Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader, Elfyn Llwyd, said the bill was a "lost opportunity" which had come about because of "internal wranglings within New Labour".