, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, thank you for your question on this important issue. Before his principled resignation, I corresponded and had regular discussions with Lord Wolfson about a range of serious concerns such as these. We are waiting, once again, for the UK Government to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
That's a very fair point. We do, as part of the reform of the tribunal system, want to ensure that there is judicial separation and proper independence of that system, but also that the tribunals have the proper facilities that are necessary for them to be…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
That's a very important question. And I can tell you that the Minister for Social Justice and I have been working very closely on a whole range of justice issues, across the span of both our portfolios—not just the legislative justice area, but also the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for that further series of questions. The issue of backlogs in the courts is certainly something that, in the past decade, has significantly deteriorated. As I say, equally, the access to justice, the availability of lawyers in some areas, has…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, thank you for that further question. Of course, it presents legal aid within a context that does not exist in reality, because the majority of people, and certainly some of the poorest in our society, do not actually have access to many areas of justice…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for that question, and it's an important area, legal aid, and something we have discussed in this Chamber on many occasions, because of its importance in terms of access to justice. And of course I welcome any increased funding that goes into legal…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the supplementary question, and of course this is a question that was also raised in my monthly discussion with the Law Council of Wales, who, you may know, have set up a legal education and training working group, which I think will be very…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the question. We are making good progress on legal apprenticeships. For example, last week we issued an apprenticeship framework for two new Chartered Institute of Legal Executives qualifications, at paralegal level 3 and advanced paralegal…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, thank you for that supplementary question, and it is in many ways quite appalling, isn't it, that we are actually in a world where we are discussing the issue of war crimes and the prosecution of the culprits. Can I thank the Member? Of course, you…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the question. I met with the law officers from the UK Government and the devolved Governments regarding the support that can be provided to prosecute war crimes. We will continue to liaise with the Governments of the other three UK nations to…
, Plenary
Debate: Human Rights
I will acknowledge that and confirm that we will incorporate the overwhelming support of the Member for the direction we wish to go in. I thank Members for those comments and confirm our overwhelming commitment to human rights in this Senedd. Thank you.
, Plenary
Debate: Human Rights
I very much welcome that support, and this is a debate, no doubt, that we will continue with.
, Plenary
Debate: Human Rights
I'll give way one final time.
, Plenary
Debate: Human Rights
I do welcome that contribution, because, yes, the objective is to look at how we can incorporate all the UN conventions within our legal framework in order to protect them, but also put them at the core of our legislative thinking. So, I can confirm that…
, Plenary
Debate: Human Rights
Well, I am right at the end, but I will take an intervention.
, Plenary
Debate: Human Rights
The Member is absolutely right, there should be absolutely no distinction whatsoever between undeserving and so-called deserving, because that strikes at the principle that human rights actually belong to everyone. Of course, Dominic Raab, the Lord…
, Plenary
Debate: Human Rights
The Welsh Government has a clear and long-standing commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. This is embedded into the founding legislation of the Welsh Government, and we are taking fresh action to strengthen and advance human rights in Wales…
, Plenary
Debate: Human Rights
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. It's a great pleasure to open this debate at a crucial time for human rights in Wales, the UK and the world. I'd like to thank Plaid Cymru for co-sponsoring the debate and for showing their joint commitment to this issue. I'd also…
, Plenary
Legislative Consent Motion on the Elections Bill
Can I thank all Members and Chairs of the committees for their comments, and can I just echo that I do not disagree with the concerns that have been raised in terms of the issue of scrutiny? I think it is one of the unfortunate parts of the way legislation…
, Plenary
Legislative Consent Motion on the Elections Bill
I thank the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee and the Local Government and Housing Committee for the helpful points raised in their reports. They'll be pleased to hear of our constructive engagement with the UK Government and the significant…
, Plenary
Legislative Consent Motion on the Elections Bill
Thank you very much, Llywydd. I move the motion. I welcome this opportunity to explain why I am recommending that the Senedd consents to the provisions in the Elections Bill. First of all, I would like to apologise for the delay before laying the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Well, thank you for the supplementary question. The section 26A provision, introduced via the Wales Act 2017, does not give the Welsh Ministers full coal-licensing powers. The Coal Authority continues to be the licensing authority for the UK. Section 26A is a…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for the question. Section 26A of the Coal Industry Act 1994 requires the Welsh Ministers to approve mining authorisations issued by the Coal Authority before coming into effect. Aberpergwm colliery lawfully acquired its authorisation before the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
I thank you for the supplementary question. I suppose, in terms of some of those Members of Parliament who've been making those comments, if the opinion polls are anything to go by, by the next election they won't be here any longer, so maybe that will cease…
, Plenary
Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution
Thank you for that question. Current guidance to employers covering working from home has been issued by the Welsh Ministers under the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No.5) (Wales) Regulations 2020. The Welsh Government has broad powers under…
