Encouraging progress from the Welsh Government in making laws more accessible – says National Assembly Committee

The Welsh Government is making progress in making its legislation more accessible to the public – according to a new report from a National Assembly Committee.

But the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee wants to see a clear timetable for the preparation of a Welsh statute book after sensing some back-tracking from earlier statements made by the Counsel General, the Welsh Government’s chief legal advisor.

It feels a statute book is a vital component of improving accessibility to a growing body of distinctive Welsh law.

During evidence the First Minister, Carwyn Jones AM, highlighted his government’s contribution to work currently being undertaken by the National Archives to improve the legislation.gov.uk website, and an online encyclopaedia the Welsh Government is developing that will provide an explanatory narrative of the law within devolved areas.

He went on to say that the creation of a Welsh statute book is a long term commitment as the scale of such a project is vast and will take time.

“The creation and formation of legislation is complex and can at times be difficult to understand,” said David Melding AM, Chair of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee.

“But good laws need to be formed through contributions and opinions from the people of Wales if they are to be truly democratic, transparent and accountable.

“We believe that a Welsh statute book is a vital component of improving accessibility to the growing body of distinctive Welsh law and therefore to helping with this law-making process.

“The Committee recognises that the development of a Welsh statute book represents a considerable task for the Welsh Government to undertake alongside its own legislative programme but we want to see a clear timetable for its preparation.

“We are encouraged by some of the progress made by the Welsh Government towards this objective but also sense some back-tracking from the positive statements we have received from the Counsel General in the past.”

Notes to Editors

Media wishing to arrange an interview with the Chair of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, David Melding AM, should contact National Assembly Media Relations on 029 2089 8215.

More information about the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee can be found here.