First Assembly Measure Becomes Law
Royal Badge for Welsh Legislation Revealed
The first ever Assembly Measure, the NHS Redress (Wales) Measure 2007, on Wednesday 9 July became law in Wales, after being approved by HM The Queen in Council.
The new law will make it easier and quicker for patients to claim compensation when treatment provided by the NHS in Wales has been negligent.
This is the first ever piece of primary legislation made by the National Assembly for Wales, the first Welsh law to be passed since Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good) passed laws in the tenth century and the first bilingual law ever to be passed in Britain.
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, The Assembly’s Presiding Officer said: “Today is an historic milestone for Wales and the National Assembly for Wales. The passing of the first Assembly Measure into law heralds a burgeoning confidence in the new law-making Constitution of Wales. In addition to the NHS Measure, three other Measures are being considered by the Assembly – the Healthy Eating Schools, Measure, the Learner Travel Measure and the Learning and Skills Measure. Two other Measures – the Playing Fields Measure and the Recycling Measure are also awaiting consideration.”
When Assembly Measures are approved by Her Majesty in Council, they become subject to Crown Copyright, and need to bear a suitable emblem when published.
Acts of Parliament bear the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom on which Wales is not, at present, separately represented. Acts of the Scottish Parliament, on the other hand, bear the distinctive Royal Arms of Scotland.
Discussions therefore took place between the Assembly and the College of Arms to develop a royal emblem which would be distinctively Welsh in character and which would be appropriate for marking the unique character of Assembly Measures as Welsh legislation.
Her Majesty has approved the outcome of these discussions, the Royal Badge of Wales, which will appear on all Assembly Measures. It is based on the arms of the native princes of Wales, dating back to the 13th century, which are also used by the Prince of Wales on his banner for use in Wales.
The new Royal Badge appears on the first Assembly Measure to become law (The NHS Redress (Wales) Measure 2008) when published by HMSO after it was approved by Her Majesty in Council.
Full details on the Progress of Measures and Legislative Competence Orders (LCOs)
Notes to editors:
The 2006 Government of Wales Act gave the Assembly the power to make laws, known as Measures, in areas where it has devolved power. Measures can be proposed by the Welsh Government, individual AMs or Committees. The NHS Redress Measure was proposed by the Government.