Part of 10. 9. Stage 3 of the Landfill Disposals Tax (Wales) Bill – in the Senedd at 7:09 pm on 20 June 2017.
Thank you. This was, in many ways, a probing amendment. We did have this discussion, as you said, at Stage 2, Cabinet Secretary. It was all part of the discussion about how independent the WRA is, how much of an arm’s-length body it will be, or how much controlled by the Welsh Government. As I’ve said with the previous amendment that Steffan Lewis tabled, I’m not entirely sure that we’re reached a satisfactory conclusion as to where that balance is between being guided by the Welsh Government and allowing the WRA that necessary independence or autonomy. But I do recognise what you said about we don’t want to be too heavy handed with the WRA, particularly at this early stage. So, if you are willing to give a further commitment that, as the WRA is developed and the new taxes come online, the Welsh Government will be monitoring the situation to ensure that this is working effectively, and it does so in the absence of guidance which I understand your reasons for not wanting to issue, then I’m happy to withdraw this amendment but, as I say, I do think that we need to keep a watching brief on this.