Morgan maturity plea on powers

Morgan called for a 'mature' party debate on assembly powers

First Minister Rhodri Morgan has called on his party to hold a "mature" debate on the future of the assembly when a report on its possible new powers is released next week.

Speaking at the Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno on Saturday he pleaded for party colleagues to deny the media a "search for blood on the carpet" over differences within Labour on devolution.

The Richard Commission - set up to look at the pros and cons of further devolution of powers from Westminster - delivers its long-awaited report on Wednesday.

In February, more than half of Wales' Labour MPs warned the UK Government that the assembly should not be given substantial new powers without a referendum.

The issue of how Welsh Labour should debate the report was discussed at Llandudno on Friday.

Mr Morgan said the tone of Friday's conference discussion should set an example for the party in its full debate on the Richard commission.

He said: "I'm determined that we, Labour in Wales, will continue to display the same democratic self-discipline and respect for each others' point of view that we showed yesterday when, over the next few months, we come to consider the recommendations of Richard.

Labour is split on the prospect of new assembly powers

"Let's keep the media in a state of chagrin over the search for blood on the carpet as well, by discussing it in the same mature way over the next few months that we did in looking at the process yesterday."

In February, a total of 19 backbenchers wrote to Welsh Secretary Peter Hain to tell him that the assembly should not be able to make its own laws unless Welsh electors gave their agreement.

The comments came soon after Mr Morgan confirmed that he backed law-making powers for the assembly, but opposed allowing it to vary taxes.

The Richard Commission was set up in July 2002 under Lord Ivor Richard of Ammanford to examine the work of the assembly since its birth in 1999.