Jeremy Miles: Well, I will make my own assessment of the competence on behalf of the Government in relation to any legislative options coming forward. The Member will know that—. I won't enter into prolonged analysis of the questions of competence, but I think, perhaps obviously, on one hand, whilst housing is expressly devolved, the law of property, broadly speaking, with exceptions, is reserved. And...
Jeremy Miles: The Welsh Government is currently considering options to reform leaseholds. The Law Commission's report, following its consultation on leasehold reform in England and Wales, is expected in the spring of this year and will help inform the Welsh Government's course of action in respect of legislative options.
Jeremy Miles: Well, the 2005 Act that established the Supreme Court sets out very clearly the basis on which Supreme Court justices are appointed. That was revisited by the Conservative Government in 2013, and they wisely chose not to pursue the course of action that those like Michael Howard has been advocating in the press. I was struck by his remark that he said the law should be made by elected,...
Jeremy Miles: Well, I've not had discussions on this specifically with UK Government law officers, but they should be in no doubt as to the Welsh Government's strong commitment to the independence of the Supreme Court. I also welcomed the court's first sitting in Cardiff last summer, and look forward very much to future sittings of the court here in Wales.
Jeremy Miles: Well, we as a Government, of course, are calling for the devolution of powers on justice here to Wales, so that we can provide a justice system that is fair for all sectors of society here and ensure—Siân Gwenllian mentioned the role of women and ethnic minorities in the justice system—that we have an alternative system available to address issues for both cohorts. For example, we've...
Jeremy Miles: The First Minister announced in this Chamber the creation of a Cabinet committee on justice to take forward the recommendations of the Commission on Justice in Wales. The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip and I are members of that Cabinet committee, and access to justice and equality before the law will be key issues as we deliberate how to take forward the report's recommendations.
Jeremy Miles: I thank the Member for that further set of questions. On the point about the resolution and avoidance, ideally, of course, of disputes between the Governments of the UK, that has been a long-standing call of the Welsh Government, and has been a matter that we have been pressing in discussions, both at ministerial and official level, with the UK Government and with other devolved Governments...
Jeremy Miles: My discussions with counterparts often cover our respective devolution settlements. As the Welsh Government's constitutional policy, 'Reforming our Union: Shared Governance in the UK', notes, as a result of the Wales Act 2017, the reserved-powers model is now the preferred model for legislative devolution. But, importantly, unhelpful asymmetries remain.
Jeremy Miles: Well, as his question implies, we were the first Government to draw attention, over two years ago, to the constitutional challenges presented by Brexit, which he highlights in his question. And the 20 propositions in reforming our union describes the UK as a voluntary association of nations. Wales remains committed to that association, but it must be based on the recognition of popular...
Jeremy Miles: Well, the Member may have not followed the debate that the Government has been leading here in Wales, which has been calling for further devolution of powers to this Assembly, principally, and most recently, in the area of justice. And I know that he shares that aspiration very strongly. There is a need, in the context of the changing union, for there to be an ongoing debate, and the...
Jeremy Miles: I thank the Member for that further question. I've been following with interest his series of postings on Twitter about the future of the union. The key is that the constitutional arrangements for a union of four nations need to respect the identity and aspirations of each of those nations, while preserving the collective interest of the whole. I know that he will have read the publication of...
Jeremy Miles: I frequently have discussions with others about our relationship within the United Kingdom and strengthening our place within it. We believe Wales's interests are best served by being a part of the United Kingdom, and the United Kingdom is better and stronger for having Wales in it.
Jeremy Miles: Yes, and it is exactly the role that we ask for, that we press for, to have an involvement in negotiations, in agreeing those mandates, and a direct role in negotiations. And the reason for that is that we can then stand up directly for Welsh interests in relation to devolved competencies. And this Senedd will have then the role of scrutinising, interrogating and ensuring that the Welsh...
Jeremy Miles: Certainly.
Jeremy Miles: Our priority is protecting both the union and the NHS, and the best way of doing that is to elect a Labour Government to Westminster after this election. Our priority is to continue, in fact, pressing the UK Government for the Welsh Government to be fully involved at all stages of the process of international negotiations on devolved matters, and also to have a say in matters that impact on...
Jeremy Miles: Yes, certainly.
Jeremy Miles: Getting Brexit done means damaging the economy, risking the livelihoods of our citizens and starving our essential public services of the investment needed. Yet, the Conservatives during the election campaign have again been making completely undeliverable promises, such as that we can turn our back on the EU's approach to state aid and competition and still have a best-in-class free trade...
Jeremy Miles: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I welcome the opportunity to reply to this debate. It is timely because it places the implications of the UK’s departure from the EU under the spotlight, along with the possible outcomes of trusting in a Conservative Government led by Boris Johnson to undertake that process. The Welsh Government supports the original motion to a great extent. It reflects...
Jeremy Miles: Formally.
Jeremy Miles: We are deeply concerned that Conservative Party proposals for this fund threaten to undermine devolution and the work under way in Wales. When a new UK Government is formed, we will reinforce our positions for funding in full and for the Welsh Government to retain autonomy on how to spend it.
