Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you to Bethan Sayed for introducing a new and interesting topic for discussion here this afternoon. I am responding on behalf of the Assembly Commission, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to outline the current situation in terms of responsibilities and competence in relation to the oath taken by Assembly Members. The Government will also respond on its role and view in this regard.

So, at the moment, in accordance with the Government of Wales Act 2006, there is a requirement for every Assembly Member to take an oath or a similar affirmation within two months of election. The wording of the current oath, as stated by Bethan Sayed, is outlined in section 2 of the Promissory Oaths Act 1868. The Assembly has power to change certain sections of the Government of Wales Act 2006 but not the provision outlining the requirements in terms of the oath. The power to change the relevant section could be devolved, but this would require a Westminster Bill.

An alternative approach and a possibly simpler approach to transfer these responsibilities would be to make something called a section 109 Order. This could be used to change the Government of Wales Act in order to provide the legislative competence to the Assembly to change the oath. A section 109 Order would be placed before the Westminster Parliament and the Government here, and the consent of both Houses in the UK Parliament would be required as well as that of this Assembly. Standing Order 25.26 allows any Assembly Member to table a motion calling on the Welsh Government to introduce a proposed Order under section 109. Under Standing Order 25.25, any committee could also propose an Order under section 109.

However, the devolution guidance note published by the UK Government on Westminster legislation affecting Wales is clear on one matter, namely that the guidance states that the UK Government would expect negotiations to take place between the two Governments, because the 109 Order would have to come before Westminster and the Assembly and be brought forward by the two Governments. In a situation where a majority supported the transfer of the relevant power from Westminster to Wales, you would need a Bill in this Assembly to implement this power.

Of course, it's only the procedural issues that I've outlined to date. To implement any change to the oath, you would need to secure the political will and a majority through a vote to do that—in Westminster and in this Senedd.

It is clear that the topic of this debate has engendered some interest and has sparked a debate. It reminds me of that time in 1997, as mayor of Aberystwyth, when I changed the toast from a toast to the Queen to a toast to the people of Aberystwyth. But I did not need legislation or constitutional change to do that—just perseverance and a little persuasion.

My advice, therefore, to any Member who wishes to implement change of this kind, or any other change on any issue, is to hold positive discussions among Members in this place and the people of Wales, and across parties, of course, and to garner the support of a majority. Everything is possible, but only through garnering support.