Procedure
Section 114: Power to intervene in certain cases
434.This section gives the Secretary of State a power to prevent, in certain circumstances, a Bill being submitted for Royal Assent.
435.Subsection (1) sets out the circumstances in which the Secretary of State may make an order namely, where the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe that the Bill contains provisions which :
would have an adverse effect upon any matter which is not listed in Part 1 of Schedule 7 to this Act, or which falls within any of the exceptions listed in that Part of the Schedule; or
might have a serious adverse impact on water resources in England, water supply in England or the quality of water in England; or
would have an adverse effect on the operation of the law as it applies in England; or
would be incompatible with any international obligations, or the interests of defence or national security.
436.Such an order may be made within four weeks of the passing of the Bill, or of the approval of the Bill following reconsideration under section 111(6) or, if a reference to the Supreme Court has been made under section 112, within four weeks of the reference being decided or otherwise disposed of. If the Secretary of State has formally notified the Clerk that no order is going to be made in relation to the Bill such an order is barred in relation to it (unless the Bill is reconsidered and approved by the Assembly under section 111(6) after that notification was given).
