Thank you very much. May I just say a word of thanks to Simon Thomas and the other members of the Finance Committee for the work that they have already done in preparing this Bill, and to present the Bill today? The Welsh Government appreciates the role of the public services ombudsman. It provides an important service in being a means to assist citizens who haven’t received the level of service from the public sector that they have a right to expect. The Welsh Government will look positively at measures that will assist the ombudsman to deliver his role.

Therefore, for example, we would welcome the proposal that he should be able to take oral complaints. This could assist the most vulnerable people in our society, including those who have protected characteristics. I am sure that the committees with responsibility for scrutinising the Bill will also want to consider how those people who do have protected characteristics will be supported in interpreting the proposed legislation.

On the other hand, Deputy Presiding Officer, in relation to certain other aspects of the Bill, the Welsh Government does have some concerns that expanding the role of the ombudsman could lead to people believing that public services are being overregulated in Wales, and it could lead to overlap or confusion in the roles of various regulators. We look forward to holding further discussions on these issues and some other issues contained within the Bill during the scrutiny process.

I’m sure you would expect me to say this as the Cabinet Secretary for finance, but I should also add that we do have some concerns about the increasing cost that would have to be borne as a result of this legislation, at a time when the rest of our public services have to tighten their belts. Every additional pound spent here, or any savings that aren’t made, is a pound that cannot be transferred to front-line services.

We will also need to look further at this aspect during the scrutiny process, but I do believe that we need to be entirely assured that Wales would get substantial benefit for the additional costs incurred. In the meantime, as the Bill is formally laid, the Welsh Government looks forward to playing a constructive part, and to take a full part in the scrutiny process. Thank you very much.