Government of Wales Bill

With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment No. 14, in page 18, line 11, leave out clause 29. Amendment No. 3, in page 18, line 14, clause 29, leave out subsections (2) to (9) and insert— '(1A) The standing orders shall include provision for ensuring that in apportioning Members to committees and sub-committees regard is had to the balance of political parties represented in the Assembly.'. Amendment No. 31, in page 18, line 14, clause 29, leave out subsections (2) to (9) and insert— '(1A) The members of any committee established by the Assembly under section 28(1)— (a) shall be elected by the Assembly from among the Assembly members, and (b) shall, unless that committee exists solely to provide advice, be elected so as to secure that, as far as is practicable, the balance of the parties in the Assembly is reflected in the membership of the committee. (1B) The committees established by the Assembly under section 28(1) shall be, as far as is practicable, chaired by members of political parties in proportion to the number of members of the Assembly belonging to each party.'. New clause 8—Composition and chairing of committees— '(1) The provision included in the standing orders in compliance with section 28(3) must meet the requirements of this section. (2) The provision must secure that the membership of each committee and sub-committee reflects the balance of political parties represented in the Assembly. (3) The provision must secure that, taken together, the chairmen of the committees and sub-committees reflect the balance of political parties represented in the Assembly. (4) The provision must secure that the Presiding Officer decides questions arising under provision made in compliance with this section.'.