Government of Wales Bill

Before I respond to the debate, I want to point out that the amendments, and the contribution by the hon. Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Grieve), take us back to the fundamental question of devolution. The Opposition are reluctant to accept that the democratically elected Assembly in Cardiff does have powers to scrutinise legislation and to hold the Executive to account. The right hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Cameron) has said that the Tories have moved to a pro-devolution position, but the amendments seem to cut across that. The enhanced legislative powers that part 3 would enable to be conferred on the Assembly are an adaptation of the current settlement. Parliament will be able to scrutinise and control the powers that it devolves to the Assembly on a case-by-case basis. It will then be for the Assembly to scrutinise how those powers are used to make Assembly Measures that address the needs of Wales.