1. What discussions has the Counsel General had with members of the UK Government regarding Brexit since his title was changed on 4 March 2020? OQ55462

I take every opportunity to stand up for Wales, despite the lack of meaningful engagement from the UK Government. I have attended several meetings with the Paymaster General and a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) on 21 May, and a further committee meeting is scheduled for tomorrow.

Thank you for that answer, Minister. I do find it a matter of regret that all Governments in the UK don't seem to be able to work together in these tumultuous times to ensure parity of treatment of all UK citizens wherever they live, and it is depressing that, despite various forums for discussion and debate, despite reports of committees of the Senedd and a real will for a devo-respectful relationship that is inclusive and collaborative, I've read some of your recent articles and I don't find them either constructive or collaborative. Will you take some responsibility for the lack of mutual respect and a workable relationship, and, while I do appreciate it takes two, what more can you, the Welsh Government, and the Senedd do to change this? Thank you.

Well, I'm not sure what articles the Member is referring to, but I would say that I have consistently tried to engage constructively with the UK Government in relation to each of our engagements in relation to the departure from the European Union and the proposed planned departure from the transition period. It has been the top priority of this Government to make sure that, notwithstanding obvious political differences between the Government here and the Government in London, the task of making sure that Wales's interests are well represented and well taken into account in the decisions taken by the UK Government on behalf of the UK has been the guiding principle throughout. We have sought as a Government consistently, not simply to complain, but to make a constructive case for alternatives at every point. Even in circumstances where the prospects of that being well received and affecting the course of direction in Westminster are limited, we have felt it appropriate and the right thing to do on behalf of the people of Wales to make a reasoned, evidence-based case at every point, and to take every possible opportunity to engage with the UK Government. And it is a matter of frustration because, when engagement does work well, it is very productive. We as a Government wish to see more of that. 

Minister, on many occasions before the committee, you've identified the challenges you've faced in actually trying to get the UK Government to come forward with ideas and decisions and to actually work collaboratively with the Welsh Government. Do you therefore join me in regretting the UK Government's approach to this as far as the EU-UK negotiation is concerned, and that there should be more engagement with the Welsh Government, so that collaboration actually works, and not imposition?

Yes, I agree with that. The principle ought to be one of collaboration, and it ought to be one that proceeds on the basis of a parity of esteem and parity of participation across all four Governments in the UK. There may be a hierarchy of Parliament under the constitutional theory of the UK, but there actually isn't a hierarchy of Governments, and Governments should be treated as equals in those discussions. 

In relation to the negotiations that he refers to specifically, he will know from our discussions in committee that we are very disappointed about the lack of genuine involvement in that, even in so far as they relate to matters that are devolved. But, again, in that context, we, as a Government, have taken every opportunity, and I've written I think 10 or 11 letters to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in recent weeks, making very clear what our position is in relation to those negotiations. But, actually, those should be the topic of discussions at the JMC(EN), which, if it lived up to its terms of reference, would enable that kind of shared participation to take place—it hasn't yet done that.