Mick Antoniw: Thank you for the supplementary question, and of course this is a question that was also raised in my monthly discussion with the Law Council of Wales, who, you may know, have set up a legal education and training working group, which I think will be very important to this. I think we've taken the first steps, and I think we do need to go further, so we are working with key stakeholders in...
Mick Antoniw: Thank you for the question. We are making good progress on legal apprenticeships. For example, last week we issued an apprenticeship framework for two new Chartered Institute of Legal Executives qualifications, at paralegal level 3 and advanced paralegal level 5. This should help widen socioeconomic access to the legal profession.
Mick Antoniw: Well, thank you for that supplementary question, and it is in many ways quite appalling, isn't it, that we are actually in a world where we are discussing the issue of war crimes and the prosecution of the culprits. Can I thank the Member? Of course, you raised the issue of war crimes and Putin in your emergency question on 1 March. We have quite a number of individuals who have arrived from...
Mick Antoniw: Thank you for the question. I met with the law officers from the UK Government and the devolved Governments regarding the support that can be provided to prosecute war crimes. We will continue to liaise with the Governments of the other three UK nations to provide any support possible to bring those responsible to justice.
Mick Antoniw: I very much welcome that support, and this is a debate, no doubt, that we will continue with.
Mick Antoniw: I will acknowledge that and confirm that we will incorporate the overwhelming support of the Member for the direction we wish to go in. I thank Members for those comments and confirm our overwhelming commitment to human rights in this Senedd. Thank you.
Mick Antoniw: I do welcome that contribution, because, yes, the objective is to look at how we can incorporate all the UN conventions within our legal framework in order to protect them, but also put them at the core of our legislative thinking. So, I can confirm that. Certainly, it is not an easy process, it's a complex one, but, certainly, we'll take that very much on board.
Mick Antoniw: I'll give way one final time.
Mick Antoniw: Well, I am right at the end, but I will take an intervention.
Mick Antoniw: The Member is absolutely right, there should be absolutely no distinction whatsoever between undeserving and so-called deserving, because that strikes at the principle that human rights actually belong to everyone. Of course, Dominic Raab, the Lord Chancellor, in 2009, before he was Lord Chancellor, said this: 'I don’t support the Human Rights Act and I don’t believe in economic and...
Mick Antoniw: The Welsh Government has a clear and long-standing commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. This is embedded into the founding legislation of the Welsh Government, and we are taking fresh action to strengthen and advance human rights in Wales, which is also reflected across our co-operation agreement. Of course, we would hope to be standing four-square with the UK Government at...
Mick Antoniw: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. It's a great pleasure to open this debate at a crucial time for human rights in Wales, the UK and the world. I'd like to thank Plaid Cymru for co-sponsoring the debate and for showing their joint commitment to this issue. I'd also like to thank the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Wales, Jane Dodds, for her support. Clearly, we meet regularly to discuss the...
Mick Antoniw: Can I thank all Members and Chairs of the committees for their comments, and can I just echo that I do not disagree with the concerns that have been raised in terms of the issue of scrutiny? I think it is one of the unfortunate parts of the way legislation has been coming from Westminster and the speed at which we have to deal with issues, amendments and changes, and to have to almost...
Mick Antoniw: I thank the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee and the Local Government and Housing Committee for the helpful points raised in their reports. They'll be pleased to hear of our constructive engagement with the UK Government and the significant progress that has been achieved. Before I provide Members with further detail on what has been achieved, may I remind Members of the Welsh...
Mick Antoniw: Thank you very much, Llywydd. I move the motion. I welcome this opportunity to explain why I am recommending that the Senedd consents to the provisions in the Elections Bill. First of all, I would like to apologise for the delay before laying the supplementary memorandum caused by the complex and protracted discussions between the United Kingdom Government and the Welsh Government on a number...
Mick Antoniw: Well, thank you for the supplementary question. The section 26A provision, introduced via the Wales Act 2017, does not give the Welsh Ministers full coal-licensing powers. The Coal Authority continues to be the licensing authority for the UK. Section 26A is a power to approve mining activities authorised under a licence granted by the Coal Authority. So, we do not have the powers to make a...
Mick Antoniw: Thank you for the question. Section 26A of the Coal Industry Act 1994 requires the Welsh Ministers to approve mining authorisations issued by the Coal Authority before coming into effect. Aberpergwm colliery lawfully acquired its authorisation before the powers were introduced in 2018. Welsh Ministers were not able to intervene in the licensing process.
Mick Antoniw: I thank you for the supplementary question. I suppose, in terms of some of those Members of Parliament who've been making those comments, if the opinion polls are anything to go by, by the next election they won't be here any longer, so maybe that will cease to be an issue there. But the position is very clear: we determine, within our own legal responsibilities, what the appropriate measures...
Mick Antoniw: Thank you for that question. Current guidance to employers covering working from home has been issued by the Welsh Ministers under the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No.5) (Wales) Regulations 2020. The Welsh Government has broad powers under health legislation and the Government of Wales Act 2006 to issue guidance on public health matters.
Mick Antoniw: I thank you for that supplementary question, and I think perhaps a little bit more than a gentle reminder is probably the case, because I think you're right—the potential impact of these changes—. These are changes where there's an indemnity fund that everyone contributes to for the post-six-year limitation period cover. So, smaller firms are very adversely affected, particularly those in...
