, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
But I think it is important to say, you know, we've looked at this in detail in terms of the possible impacts. Obviously, Alun's come up with the broader issue about competence and referral, but, I mean, this is why we have such close engagement and…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
I don't think so. Anna, do you want to respond to that?
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Well, obviously, we want to make sure that our legislation, as I said—. We recognise that there could be challenge, and that that could be, of course, as you say, individual legal challenge. But that's where I think I've mentioned the fact that our primary…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Well, I think it's important, as I said, that the First Minister has responded to his letter and that he has agreed that our officials should speak to each other when we get to that point. But it is not appropriate at this stage. It's only after a Bill is…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
I mean, I answered your question by saying that this is not the moment when we would consider whether a referral to the Supreme Court is likely to take place. It is not the time. It is not the moment for it. But, yes, as Will has said, and the First Minister…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Well, I think it was based on the fact that we needed to make sure that the main Senedd reform Bill was able to progress at pace, as it has, and we'll be hopefully moving forward to Stage 3 tomorrow. But, Will, do you want to—? You were very involved at that…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Well, this was the judgment, in terms of our Government legislative advice, that we should have two separate Bills.
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Clearly, it's important that this is a part of a whole package of Senedd reform that we're taking forward, and—
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Well, as I said, it's—. The moment for us to consider this is when a Bill has—. When it can be considered is when a Bill has passed and then final provisions are known. And, as you know, only the Attorney General and Counsel General can refer a Bill to the…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Thank you for that question. Actually, this is not the time when a referral to the Supreme Court needs to be considered. The moment, as I'm sure you're aware—
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Good afternoon.
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Well, we have engaged, as officials do, prior to any legislation. We've engaged with the UK Government departments on the introduction of any Bill, but specifically on this Bill, I think, Will, it's right to say the Ministry of Justice and the Information…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
But also, just to say, because there was an offer of a meeting between our officials, the First Minister has replied to say he'd be happy for our officials to meet to discuss the Bill. But I think the important thing is that it's at the appropriate time in…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Well, thank you for that question, and, yes, I'm obviously very much aware of the exchange of correspondence, as it is now, between the Secretary of State for Wales and the First Minister. Now, the First Minister has responded to the Secretary of State's…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
I think that legal advice is very helpful in terms of addressing the issue of competence.
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
No. I mean, I think it is important to look at our statement of policy intent, and particularly in terms of the statement for subordinate legislation, which makes it very clear the purpose of the Bill, within that package of reforms, is to deliver on the…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Anna, do you want to follow that up?
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
I don't know. I don't think we have—
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
—that has been given to me, the fact that there isn't that—. The main purpose of the Bill is a more effective Senedd, and I've commented on the fact that there could be incidental equal opportunities effects on it. They're not in themselves its purpose, and…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Well, I've given my clear advice—
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Well, I don't consider that the Bill breaches the restriction on modifying the law on reserved matters; I have quoted from GOWA 2006. But also I would say—. This also relates specifically to section 104 of the Equality Act 2010—you mentioned equality…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Well, I don't think that the Bill, that there is a purpose—there isn't another purpose—for equal opportunities. This is about the purpose of a more effective Senedd, and this is key in terms of recognising that this is about a more effective Senedd, as really…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Yes, I am satisfied. Based on all of the information available to me, I'm of the view that the Bill is within the legislative competence of the Senedd. I've obviously given evidence to the Senedd Reform Committee on this Bill. The Bill's purpose is a more…
, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill: Evidence Session
Thank you very much, Cadeirydd. I'm really pleased to be in front of the committee this afternoon. You will recall, of course, the special purpose committee report, ‘Reforming our Senedd: A stronger voice for the people of Wales’, and that was published back…
, Finance Committee
Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of this meeting
Diolch yn fawr.
