CONDUCT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WALES AND THE NEED FOR A REVIEW OF THE RESULT OF THE WELSH REFERENDUM

leave out from 'House' to end and add 'congratulates the people of Wales in having the good sense, confidence and judgement to endorse the Government's proposals for devolution in the 18th September referendum; notes that the Referendum was conducted fairly and properly, and in every detail in accordance with the procedures laid down in Parliament; expresses its gratitude to Professor Eric Sunderland and the 22 counting officers for conducting the ballots scrupulously fairly and in exercising their impartial judgement; notes that at each and every one of the 22 counts, observers from the 'No' campaign and the Conservative Party specifically expressed their satisfaction with the way the counts had been conducted; acknowledges that there was no political influence from Ministers over the conduct of the count and would express its concern should such influence be attempted; recognises that the Secretary of State for Wales has answered satisfactorily and in detail every single question which has been asked about the Referendum count; deplores the unsubstantiated campaign of smears against the people of Wales currently being conducted by elements of the Conservative Party; and urges Conservative honourable Members to desist from irrelevant time-wasting distractions and join with all those wishing to see a healthier democracy in Wales in playing a constructive role during the passage of the Governement of Wales Bill.'.