With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:
Amendment 28, in clause 6, page 7, line 2, leave out paragraph (b) and insert—
“(b) for ‘The Secretary of State may by order provide for the poll at an ordinary general election to be” substitute “The Presiding Officer may propose that the poll at an ordinary general election is.’”
The Bill as drafted transfers the power to vary the date of an ordinary general election from the Secretary of State to Welsh Ministers. The amendment transfers the power to the Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales.
Amendment 29, page 7, line 2, at end insert—
“(7A) Leave out subsection (2) and insert—
(2) If the Presiding Officer makes a proposal under subsection (1), Her Majesty may by proclamation under the Welsh Seal—
(a) dissolve the Assembly,
(b) require the poll at the election to be held on the day proposed, and
(c) require the Assembly to meet within the period of fourteen days beginning immediately after the day of the poll.”
The amendment inserts provision for the arrangements for varying the date of an ordinary general election. The amendment also extends from seven to fourteen days the period within which the Assembly is required to meet following the day of a poll.
Amendment 30, page 7, line 2, at end insert—
“(7B) In subsection (4) for ‘An order under this section may’ substitute ‘If the Presiding Officer makes a proposal under subsection (1), the Welsh Ministers may by order’”.
The amendment replicates existing provisions in the Government of Wales Act 2006 with a modification resulting from the transfer of the power to vary the date of an ordinary general election to the Presiding Officer.
Amendment 31, page 7, line 6, at end insert—
“(10A) Section 5 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (Extraordinary general elections) is amended as set out in paragraphs (a) to (d)—
(a) In subsection (1) for “Secretary of State” substitute ‘Presiding Officer’.
(b) In subsection (4) for “Secretary of State” substitute ‘Presiding Officer’.
(c) In subsection (4) for ‘Order in Council’ substitute ‘proclamation under the Welsh Seal’.
(d) In subsection (4) for ‘seven’ substitute ‘fourteen’”.
The amendment inserts a new provision transferring the power to propose the day of an extraordinary general election from the Secretary of State to the Presiding Officer. The amendment also extends from seven to fourteen days the period within which the Assembly is required to meet following the day of a poll.
Clauses 6 and 7 stand part.