Government of Wales Bill

I hope that my voice will be more robust today than yesterday, and that the House will bear with me if I start to fade again. The amendments are designed to examine clauses 60 and 70. Unfortunately, we did not have time to discuss these clauses in Committee, but their selection for debate on Report gives us an opportunity to get inside the minds of the Government and the parliamentary draftsmen and find out exactly what the provisions mean. This debate also allows us to explore the ambit of the subjects that the clauses cover. I have looked at the explanatory notes to the Bill, and what they say is worth sharing with the House. Clause 60, which covers ““Promotion etc. of well-being””, is described as follows:"““This clause provides the Welsh Ministers with a power to do anything which they consider is appropriate to achieve the promotion of the economic, social or environmental well-being of Wales. The power may be exercised for the benefit of the whole or any part of Wales or of all or any persons resident or present in Wales. If the Welsh Ministers consider that it would promote the economic, social or environmental well-being of Wales it may also be exercised in relation to or for the benefit of areas outside Wales or persons resident or present in any area outside Wales.””" I have to express a little surprise, as I am sure the Minister will understand, because that is so badly drafted that it needs close examination. The clause begins:"““The Welsh Ministers may do anything””," and I would like the Minister to define ““anything””, because Ministers may do anything at all that they consider appropriate, without any qualification. They are to be the sole arbiters and have sole judgment. They can do anything whatever—not ““anything within their powers””; there is no such qualification—"““which they consider appropriate to achieve ay one or more of the following objects—"