Concerns about clarity and transparency over bids for further powers – have your say

Is the way in which bids for more powers, for the National Assembly for Wales, are drafted too complicated?

That’s the question being asked by the National Assembly’s Subordinate Legislation Committee as they launch an inquiry into the way new Legislative Competence Orders(LCOs) are drawn up.

It follows a report by the House of Lords Constitution Committee that raised questions about the “clarity” and “transparency” of the way LCOs have been drafted.

Committee Chair Janet Ryder AM said:

“The House of Lords' Constitution Committee has identified a real area of concern. So called fixed and floating exceptions may sound like legal jargon but theiruse may be complicating Welsh laws for no good reason and making the job of the Assembly more difficult.”

“Our inquiry will look at how the exceptions to the Assembly's powers are drafted andthe reasons for the change in approach that has given rise to concerns. “

“We will also look at the implications of this for the development of the “Welsh Constitution” andhow the public’s understanding of the devolution of legislative competence to the Assembly can be made clearer.”

Further information on the inquiry can be found on the Subordinate Legisation Committee's web pages

Any one wishing to take part in the consultation process should send their response to legislation.committee@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Or alternatively written responses can be sent to the Subordinate Legislation Committee, Legislation Office, National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay, CF99 1NA