asked the Secretary of State for Wales when the referendum on devolution in Wales will take place.

The Government propose that it should be held on 1st March 1979.

Since the continuing uncertainty about the structure of government in Wales is bound to be bad for Wales, may I ask why the Government did not hold the referendum in September or last month? Why are they not holding it this month? Did they fix 1st March next year as the date for the referendum merely to give them a few extra months' leverage over the Welsh nationalists?

I would have thought that most hon. Members would be united in agreeing that in a matter of this kind there should be the highest possible vote. The best chance of securing such a vote is to hold the referendum early as possible on a new register. I would have thought that that was the most democratic way of going about things.