Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General and Brexit Minister (in respect of his Brexit Minister responsibilities) – in the Senedd at 3:06 pm on 22 January 2020.
This is a very important matter that the Member has raised today in the Chamber. I obviously echo the point that the First Minister made last week in relation to this important issue. What is extraordinary to me is that the previous legislation itself did actually contain a duty on the part of the UK Government to negotiate the continuation of the Dublin III arrangements—the refugee family reunion arrangements—and so the weakening of that, I think, is an extraordinary act. She will be aware that the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip and indeed the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services have written to the Home Secretary making clear the Welsh Government's position in relation to this matter. I think that it goes to the heart of the kind of country that we want the UK to be as we leave the European Union, and I think that weakening the legislation is a moment of danger in that regard. I hope that the UK Government will continue to advance its previous stated position, even if that's not on the face of the legislation. I know that she and many other Members in this Chamber would feel very strongly that they should do that, as do I.