5. What discussion has the Counsel General held with law officers regarding the devolution of the justice system? OAQ(5)0038(CG)[W]

The Member will know that this answer is subject to the established law officers’ convention and that I do not publicly discuss such meetings.

Thank you for that usual response. Does the Counsel General happen to agree with me, however, that the part of the justice system that’s most easily devolved in terms of the law, and the constitution as well, would be policing? And as the First Minister informed the Chamber yesterday that he is strongly in favour of the devolution of policing, and as we are to have a debate on the issue in some 15 minutes’ time, what steps is the Welsh Government taking now, with the advice of the Counsel General, to ensure that the necessary constitutional steps are in place to allow that to happen?

Well, any constitutional steps with regard to the devolution of policing actually require a change in the law, and it isn’t really appropriate for me to step on the toes of the First Minister in his description and his proposals in respect of any policy changes he feels are appropriate. But, of course, he did make very clear yesterday in this Chamber what the Welsh Government’s position is with regard to the devolution of policing.