Constitutional Reform: Referendums Debate
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Lord Campbell of Alloway
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Constitutional Reform: Referendums
Lord Campbell of Alloway Excerpts(13 years, 10 months ago)
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Lord McNally
No, I cannot give such guarantees. The Parliament Acts are there for the judgment of the Government of the day. As I have said previously, whether there should a referendum to consult is a matter for the judgment of the Parliament of the day.
Lord Campbell of Alloway
Does not the constitutional process to which my noble friend referred require pre-legislative scrutiny of a constitutional Bill, not only of the Bill currently before the House but any Bill?
Lord McNally
I think that all parties agree that pre-legislative scrutiny is a good idea—certainly, I have been supportive of it—but, as we have said, it is not always possible when a radical and reforming Government hit the ground running.