Documents, Papers and Reports

Certain documents, papers and reports are required to be officially laid (presented to) before the Senedd or deposited with the Senedd Library.

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Statements of Opinion

A Statement of Opinion on a matter affecting Wales may be tabled by any Member other than a member of the government; and any such Statement may be supported, opposed or otherwise subject to comment in writing by any other Member. Statements of Opinion are published on the Senedd website but there is no Senedd decision on them.

Deposited Papers

The deposit of papers in the Library usually, though not always, arises as a result of a Ministerial commitment made in response to a Senedd Question, or in the course of a Senedd debate or committee meeting. Whilst Members of the Senedd, other than members of the Government, are not permitted to deposit documents in the Library, they may put forward a case for papers referred to in Senedd proceedings to be placed in the Library under the authority of the Presiding Officer.

Documents Laid

'Laying' is the process by which documents are placed formally before the Senedd

Standing Order 15 sets out the five categories of document which can be laid before the Senedd. These include items such as draft legislation, Senedd Committee reports and other documents that are required to be laid before the Senedd by law.