Government of Wales Bill

: We welcome the definition for Deputy Ministers—it is a fair step forward. I agree with the hon. Member for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale (David Mundell) about Committees. We must take care—I believe that the Government in Cardiff will take care—that there are enough Back Benchers to ensure sufficient numbers on Committees. The number of Assembly Members imposes its own limit, given that there are only 60. We do not want to fetter the First Minister in the way in which he—or even she—might want to appoint Ministers. The Record of Proceedings for the Assembly’s Committee that considered the Bill shows that the Tories in Cardiff tabled an amendment, which would have provided:"““The number of Welsh Ministers shall not exceed 8 and the number of Deputy Welsh Ministers shall not exceed 5””." Perhaps the hon. Member for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale could explain the reason for that change.