Lord Roberts' appointment was welcomed by senior figures

He wants the debate about institutions set aside so the party can concentrate on the issues that matter "on the doorsteps" and "in the pubs".

Lord Wyn Roberts has been asked to head a consultation with the grass roots.

"There is nobody better for this role than Wyn," said assembly party leader Nick Bourne of the veteran politician.

Mr Cameron told delegates at the party's Welsh conference in Llandudno that he knew that the general public was not talking about further devolution to Wales.

But he felt that it was important to make sure "that we get the devolution issue right and we settle it".

'Settled future'

He said the party had to be able to respond to the public on health, on education, on housing "rather that just endlessly debating about institutions that I think leave most people cold".

Former Welsh Office minister Lord Roberts of Conwy has been asked to review the party's position on devolution.

Lord Roberts will consult with Cardiff Bay and Westminster politicians 'Mend broken politics' - Cameron

Mr Cameron said he would consult with the party grassroots and politicians in Cardiff Bay and Westminster to "find the best way ahead, study the options and offer a full overview of the possibilities".

Lord Roberts, 77, was a long-serving Welsh Office minister in the Thatcher and Major governments and was made a life peer in 1997.

He has recently stepped down as a Conservative spokesman on Welsh Affairs in the Lords, after a long front-bench career - and tributes were paid to him from the platform over the weekend.

Lord Roberts has been asked by Mr Cameron to report back before the summer break.

Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan MP welcomed the choice of Lord Roberts and said he had "made a quite unique and lifelong contribution to Wales and to our party".

"Welsh Conservatives are working together at Westminster and in Cardiff Bay to make devolution work," she said.

"We now need to address the possibilities for a more settled future for the institutions and the good governance of Wales."

But Plaid Cymru reacted to Mr Cameron's speech by accusing the Conservatives of "dithering" on the debate, when Mr Bourne had stated that his party should support more powers for the assembly.

Alun Ffred Jones AM said: "Their party leader has decided to distance himself and his party from Mr Bourne's stance.

"This is a huge embarrassment for Nick Bourne, who's been slapped down for voicing a view without the permission of his bosses in London."