Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:51 pm on 17 October 2017.
There’s not much to say in opposition to this motion, but I just ask for a few more details from the leader of the house to understand the process that led to this decision to agree the memorandum. She mentioned the main incentive, which as I understand it is the concern that Wales will be seen as a less favourable place for investment in this context. Could she tell us a little bit more about the process that the Welsh Government pursued in order to come to that particular conclusion? Exceptions, of course, we would only want to accept from giving our consent to another Parliament to legislate on our behalf. That should only be done in exceptional circumstances. So, could she explain a little bit more about the process that the Government adopted in this case? And in general, to make that correct assessment, there was reference made in the note from the Cabinet Secretary giving reasons with regard to timing and co-ordination. Was it a lack of time in the legislative timetable here that was on the Government’s mind in this regard? There’s reference to administrative systems and the co-ordinated nature of those between Wales and England. Perhaps the business Secretary could tell us a little bit more about that, so that we understand fully the thought process that was behind this motion.