Written Statement - Referendum period

The Referendum Order was made by Her Majesty in the Privy Council yesterday. The final approval of this Order means that the referendum on the future law-making powers of the Assembly will take place on 3 March 2011. 

 Statutory restrictions on government publicity relating to referendums are set out in section 125 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.  These statutory restrictions will apply for the 28 days before the poll.  However we have also agreed with the Electoral Commission that the Welsh Assembly Government will not engage in any publicity campaign about the referendum.  This will apply from today, up to and including the date of the poll.  Political parties, other organisations and individuals will set out the arguments for and against during the campaign.