Point of Order

– in the Senedd at 4:19 pm on 24 April 2018.

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Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 4:19, 24 April 2018

(Translated)

Before we start Stage 3 proceedings on the Regulation of Registered Social Landlords (Wales) Bill, a point of order from Simon Thomas. 

Photo of Mr Simon Thomas Mr Simon Thomas Plaid Cymru

(Translated)

Thank you very much, Llywydd. I raise this point of order because there is breaking news, and I ask for your assistance to see if the Assembly could discuss this breaking news. The situation is that it’s become clear now that the Welsh Government has reached agreement with the Conservative Party in Westminster on the EU withdrawal Bill, on the powers that are to be devolved and the powers that are to be retained. I hear that there'll be a period of seven years, or five years, when powers will be retained in Westminster and won’t be passed to the Assembly. This agreement may be valuable to the Government, but the aspect that I’m interested in what we as Assembly Members have to say about this. Has anyone asked to make an urgent statement on these issues, Llywydd? Or would it be possible for Assembly Members such as myself to request an urgent statement or some clarity from the Government as to what exactly the situation is?

Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 4:20, 24 April 2018

(Translated)

Given that nobody is responding to that point of order, I will say to you, Simon Thomas, that you know that it is a matter for the Government to decide on matters of Government business. Of course, the Government is accountable to this Assembly and my wish is to ensure, at every opportunity, that major policy statements by the Government are presented to the Assembly in their entirety in order to allow questioning and the appropriate accountability. That hasn’t been proposed for this afternoon so far, but it’s possible that that may emerge in due course.