, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I think we've heard the—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
And Darren wants to come in here.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
That just helps us to clarify our position if the Bill comes before us. Thank you.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
So, just for my clarification: you're not involved in the competence agenda until that Bill has been passed.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Minister, I just want to hold on that. I accept that point, that it will be another Minister in charge, but as the legal officer for the Government, you will definitely have an input into that Bill.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Well, if Darren indicates, I'll probably call him in, but it's for me to decide. So, you, by all means, ask your question.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
You can continue.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
It is for me to decide who comes in.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
But can I highlight, just for comment, any by-election can change the balance of a Parliament? So, you talked about the proportion. Any by-election can change the balance of a Parliament.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Since we're on vacancies, can I move on to Jane?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
So, it's much more focused on a situation of, when a vacancy arises, the next person off the list comes in—that's the current system—but that next person, literally, because of opportunities, may have actually found work elsewhere. And we want the grace…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
The question, I think, to focus on is that there are two separations here. First of all, the candidates' agenda, which is separate, because we're focusing very much on those who are on the lists in elections, who have met those criteria at that point in time…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I'll bring Sarah in and then I'll come back to other questions as well. Sarah.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Heledd, do you want to add a small point on this?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
But, for clarification, the risk is low, but there's a risk.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I want to move on, because I'm conscious of time and we've still got quite a bit of areas to go through. We'll go on to residential requirements. Darren, can you take that?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Darren, did you want to add anything?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
A simple majority would be in a Senedd of 96. So, it is a different agenda and a different position.
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
But on that point, Counsel General, the two thirds is in this Senedd—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I'm going to give you a possible scenario that worries me. Under this current proposal, a majority of one would be required, and if a First Minister was in consultations with another party to form a coalition, part of that bargaining could be, 'Oh, we'll…
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Can I come back to you on that one, then?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
It sounds very much as if, from what you've just said, that you expect it not just to be a maximum but to fill those numbers anyway. But, don't comment upon that. That's my comment. Do you want to ask the question on the extras?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
I accept what you say about it being a recommendation of the committee, but what analysis have you done, in bringing this Bill forward, to say whether that number's appropriate?
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
You say that it was on the recommendation of the committee, and I accept that—
, Reform Bill Committee
Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill: Ministerial evidence session
Can I move on? I want to ask a question. The number of Welsh Government Ministers in the Bill—. I accept, before you start, that it's a maximum figure, but it's increasing from 12 at the moment to 17, with the proviso of increasing to 19 if the Senedd votes…
