, Plenary
Debate on the Report of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform—Reforming our Senedd: A stronger voice for the people of Wales
Yes, I will.
, Plenary
Debate on the Report of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform—Reforming our Senedd: A stronger voice for the people of Wales
Dirprwy Lywydd, the fact that the report has been agreed by the Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru and Welsh Liberal Democrat members of the committee reflects the cross-party support that has been established for taking action to reform the Senedd. Llywydd, it is…
, Plenary
Debate on the Report of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform—Reforming our Senedd: A stronger voice for the people of Wales
I'd like to start by thanking the Chair and members of the committee and their staff for the hard work carried out in drawing up this comprehensive report. The publication of this report is an important step on the journey to creating a Senedd that represents…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the question. I think much of the comments I agree with. Just in respect of the Queen's Speech, I mean, you're right, there are a whole number of pieces of legislation that we have to consider, some of which impact on devolved areas. In…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the question. I issued a written statement on 13 May that contained my analysis of the UK Government's legislative programme, and particularly on where the consent of the Senedd would likely be required.
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for that supplementary. Can I just say, in respect of the latter point you made about HS2, how pleased I am that the Welsh Conservatives now actually agree with the point we've made that there should be funding? I'm sure that their considerable…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the question. The UK Government has, on a number of occasions, demonstrated an unacceptable disregard in observing the Sewel convention. We have forcefully expressed our concerns about these breaches and we will continue to push for the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, can I thank you for the supplementary question and the points you raise? Perhaps if I take the last point first, I mean, it's interesting, isn't it, that the line of criticism that's being pursued is one in terms of a referendum. I'm very clear in my…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the question. The composition of a legislature is a matter for that legislature to determine. Wales must be fully and fairly represented in the House of Commons to ensure that its interests in reserved—and, where appropriate…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for that question. I certainly will do, and I certainly know the Minister for Social Justice has very much been raising these particular issues. They are of concern. The UN Refugee Agency has, I think, been clear that its own view is that the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you very much. It is a very important point that you do raise, because as we work and look to legislate with regard to the recommendations of the Law Commission on the reform of tribunals, we have to look at a number of issues, one of which of course is…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the question. We are committed to ensuring that the Welsh tribunals have adequate facilities, both now and in the future, and as we take forward structural reform of the devolved tribunals to create a modernised tribunal system for Wales.
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for that. It's very disappointing that, within this Bill, it resurrects a series of clauses that were rejected in the House of Lords for, I think, the very reasons that the Member has just raised today. The proposals, in my view, are a dagger to the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the question. The Public Order Bill includes provisions that impact on people’s right to protest. The Welsh Government will continue to make clear to the UK Government its opposition to this attack on domestic rights.
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for that. There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that the civil justice centre is not fit for purpose. There is absolutely no doubt as well that the Ministry of Justice are aware. Myself and the Minister for Social Justice met with Dominic Raab…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for that question. It is an issue that is very much coming to the fore across the world now—the commission of war crimes and investigations by the International Criminal Court and, indeed, by the United Nations themselves. The evidence there is…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Does that mean we have to listen to him again? [Laughter.]
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
What I can tell the Member—and I say in this in two capacities; one as a Government Minister, but also in terms of my law officer responsibilities as Counsel General—is that I will give very detailed consideration, and the Government will, to the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
I thank you for that question, and I'm sure it's a matter that will be raised again later on this afternoon. Can I just say firstly, though, in terms of the report of the special purpose committee, I don't presume the outcome of the decision this afternoon…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, the first point I would make is that, of course, there will be a debate—I think two hours have been allocated for this afternoon—where I'm sure all the issues in respect of the special purpose committee's report will be considered. My role and that of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you. It is an important area of work and of Welsh law, and it is of course an area where I oversee the prosecutions in that area. The over-exploitation of our fisheries will lead to unsustainable fisheries, as you've said, and will result in damage to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for that question. The enforcement of fisheries legislation is vital for the sustainability of our fisheries and the protection of the marine environment. Although I'm unable to comment on specific, ongoing cases, I confirm we have successfully…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, thank you for your supplementary. I certainly agree with you that it was disappointing that, at the Conservative Party conference, a statement was made that there would be no devolution of justice. This was before they'd even had an opportunity to read…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the question. We set out principles for a devolved justice system in our publication recently, ‘Delivering Justice for Wales’. We will use this to co-produce a vision of how justice can be delivered better, through conversations with those with…
, Plenary
Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution: Justice in Wales
I thank the Member for the comments. The first point you raise is actually a very fundamental one and perhaps, on reflection, I should have made more emphasis of it. It is absolutely vital and essential that we uphold and maintain the independence of…
