Government of Wales Bill

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Thomas, for mentioning my membership of the Richard commission. The commission indeed recommended that there should ultimately be a full transfer of primary powers, but also recognised that there would be a long interim period, not of months but years. It explored the possibilities of enhanced legislative powers being given to the Assembly in that interim period, so that it could exercise them before the possible transfer of primary powers, subject to a referendum and the rest of it. We did not consider the particular device contained in Part 3; we looked at other forms, like framework legislation. But I find Part 3 satisfying in that it deals with and offers, in this period of whatever length, the opportunity for the Assembly to have enhanced competencies. I therefore support Part 3, and certainly do not support the Opposition’s amendment. Frankly, I find it difficult to understand how either House could possibly decide by a vote, affirmative or otherwise, on a measure that they had no part in developing.