Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:19 pm on 12 March 2019.
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I am recommending that the Assembly consent to the legislative consent motion on the Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill. As Members will be aware, I did not recommend that the Assembly should consent to the original legislative consent memorandum, laid on 15 November last year. This has been a prolonged and now positive engagement with the UK Government to bring this Bill to a position where I am able to recommend consent. Crucially, the UK Government has tabled an amendment to create a statutory requirement for consultation with devolved national Governments, and agreed a memorandum of understanding underpinning that amendment. The memorandum sets out how devolved national Governments will be involved in the development of future international healthcare agreements and regulations giving effect to them, and that memorandum has been shared with scrutiny committees.