4. What discussions has the Counsel General held regarding the Welsh Government's ability to use its new powers under the Wales Act 2017? OAQ51494

Members will know that the majority of new powers under the Wales Act 2017 will come into force on 1 April this year, with certain other powers coming into force shortly thereafter. The Welsh Government stands ready to receive these new powers.

Thank you for that response. I just wanted to ask the Counsel General in broader terms about the taxation powers that his colleague sitting next to him, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, is currently considering, namely the four new taxes and the possibility of one tax being brought forward. I support the plastics tax and I will be repeating that, and it was good to see that the Assembly voted in favour of such a tax yesterday evening in discussing these issues.

In discussions at the Finance Committee, the finance Secretary said that, in his view, it’s a matter of joint agreement between the Assembly and Westminster— the House of Commons and the House of Lords—and that, for him, what was important was not the policy, that it wasn’t a policy issue for Westminster, but an issue of how this impacted on powers at Westminster, and that both Parliaments should be in accordance with each other and should be agreed on that. But, there is nothing in writing or a protocol here. So, I would like to ask you as Counsel General whether you will now tackle this issue and ensure that the ground is prepared, constitutionally, so that your colleague the Cabinet Secretary can take whatever tax is selected by the Government through successfully and bring it into force.

Well, the analysis of the Member is correct that that’s the process: that is, we need agreement. The Cabinet Secretary has said several times that it’s about ensuring that we have a system that works and that we collaborate in a system, and that’s what’s important about this process. I would endorse the Cabinet Secretary’s comments on that, and I intend to collaborate with him to ensure that the Government ensures that this is a success.

Thank you, Counsel General.