3. 2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:33 pm on 5 July 2016.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 2:33, 5 July 2016

We are a very welcoming people in Wales, known for our hospitality and warmth. So, I wonder if the leader of the house may share my disappointment that, despite our very best efforts on the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, which I now chair, following on from the expert stewardship of Mr David Melding, the Secretary of State has so far declined our invitation to come and give evidence on the Wales Bill. Now, despite the cautious welcome given to parts of this latest Bill, significant concerns are still being expressed by leading constitutional and legal experts on the potential roll-back of devolution, and the Secretary of State, quite frankly, is the only one who can respond to these concerns. So, I wonder if the leader of the house could, perhaps, together with our Presiding Officer, in seeking to safeguard the interests of the Assembly and the people of Wales, use their influence and good offices to encourage the Secretary of State for Wales to come and visit us, pointing out that it’s not just desirable and reasonable, but actually essential and indeed helpful to good scrutiny that the Secretary of State for Wales accepts our warm and polite invitation to come home to Wales.