Point of order. David Melding.

Llywydd, I'd like to raise a point of order under Standing Order 6.15 and Standing Order 12.50. Big announcements by the Welsh Government, such as a review of a major public policy, surely need to be made orally to the Assembly. This permits timely scrutiny, and thereafter allows the Assembly to monitor and evaluate performance. In the Chamber yesterday, the leader of the house gave a cursory and unsatisfactory response to my concerns on the announcement of the review of affordable housing supply. She said it was for the Government to decide whether an oral or written statement was appropriate. The Welsh Government's press statement on this matter includes endorsements from Community Housing Cymru and the Chartered Institute of Housing specifically, and I quote:

'If we get this review right, it will be a big step towards solving the housing crisis.'

And, quote:

'We welcome today’s announcement of a review into housing policy in Wales.' 

The importance of the review can be clearly inferred from these statements that were sought in advance by the Welsh Government, yet we have had no opportunity to scrutinise its scope or the suitability of those asked to conduct it.

Finally, there was a comprehensive review of housing need in 2015 sponsored by the Welsh Government. This was conducted by the UK's leading authority on housing need. It has not been acted upon. Why a new review? These are obviously vital questions. Llywydd, what powers do you have to require a Minister to make an oral statement in such circumstances?

Thank you for the notification of your intention to raise this as a point of order. As I said following a similar issue that was raised in a point of order yesterday, Government business is a matter for Welsh Ministers, not for me. But Ministers are accountable to this Assembly, and it is my expectation that they should not undermine that principle by making major policy announcements outside the Chamber. I expect that major announcements should be made directly to this Assembly so that there is the opportunity that you have sought, David Melding, for Members to scrutinise the Government on issues such as this.

Of course, it's important to remind Members as well—as I'm sure you're all very familiar with—of the various routes available to you to bring issues to the Chamber if the Government does not provide opportunities for examination. Those include emergency and topical questions, oral questions and opposition debates, and in addition, I'd say that Members can make representations about proposed Government business through the Business Committee, and I would hope that the leader of the house would give serious consideration to any such representations made by political parties here.