Procedure
Section 101: Power to intervene in certain cases
364.This section enables the Secretary of State to intervene and, by order which would be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament, prohibit the Clerk from submitting a proposed Measure for approval by Her Majesty in Council if the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe that its provisions:
would have an adverse effect on matters which are not within the legislative competence of the Assembly;
might have a serious adverse impact on water resources in England, water supply in England or the quality of water in England;
would have an adverse effect on the operation of the law as it applies in England; or
would be incompatible with any international obligation or the interests of defence or national security.
365.The first ground set out above on which the Secretary of State may make an order, appears in the Act in the form “would have an adverse effect on any matter which is not specified in Part 1 of Schedule 5”. Matters which are not specified (i.e., as ones in respect of which the Assembly has legislative competence) include those which are excepted from a matter that is specified.
366.Such an order may be made within four weeks of the passing of the proposed Measure, or of the approval of the proposed Measure following reconsideration under provision made under section 98(6) or, if a reference to the Supreme Court has been made under section 99, 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 proposed Measure such an order is barred in relation to it, unless the proposed Measure is reconsidered and approved by the Assembly under provision made under section 98(6) after that notification was given.