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Nick Clegg made his first appearance at the Commons despatch box as deputy Prime Minister today, and appeared to change government policy while on his feet.

Wales Office Ministers have worked studiously hard to remain neutral on the potentially divisive question of further powers for the Welsh assembly.

Cheryl Gillan and her deputy David Jones have insisted it would be inappropriate to take sides in the vote, whenever it comes.

Now Nick Clegg has told the House of Commons: "Yes, the Government does support a yes vote in that referendum. As for the timing of the referendum the Welsh Secretary of State and the First Minister are meeting today with a view to identifying a date most likely in the first few months of next year to hold that referendum."

So the deputy PM has, in response to a question from the Labour MP Ian Lucas, apparently changed government policy and narrowed the timing options for a vote.

This was news to the Wales Office (prop. Cheryl Gillan) and possibly to the rest of the UK Government too; no news yet on whether Cheryl agrees with Nick.

UPDATE: The deputy Prime Minister's office blames a "slip of the tongue" for what Nick Clegg said and insist UK Government policy has not changed.

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