7. Legislative Consent Motion on the Advanced Research and Invention Agency Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:24 pm on 7 December 2021.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 5:24, 7 December 2021

Thank you. Taking the point that Alun Davies has made on behalf of the legislation and justice committee, that was a concern that the Government had as well, but we do believe that, with the amendments that have now been inserted, it does limit the ability of UK Ministers to use Henry VIII powers to amend the competence and legislative measures of this particular Parliament. It was part of the point of securing the change, so they won't be able to do that unilaterally.

I think it is also worth me responding directly to the point about the publication of the memorandum of understanding, which Alun Davies mentioned on behalf of the committee as well. I'm happy to confirm that we'll share a draft form with the committee and then we'll publish the final form at the point when it's signed. I'll also be happy to report on ARIA's activities on a routine basis, as the Member has requested.

I do believe that the amendments that we have now secured will address the comments and the concerns of the committee, which are ones that were shared by the Government. It does show, though, that where this Government and others engage on a constructive basis, and there is a constructive response from the UK Government, it is possible to find legislative measures and new innovations that actually work with the devolution settlement and don't cut across it.

I would hope that there is a signal there both for legislators and Ministers within this administration, as indeed others around the UK, for a better and more constructive way to conduct inter-ministerial relationships, and innovations that all of us, I think, regardless of our politics, may wish to see across the United Kingdom in future. We have reached a common understanding across the four different Governments of the UK about how ARIA can operate, and I hope we can do so on other matters in future. But, as I say, I do ask Members to support the motion before us on the basis of the amendments we have managed to secure to the Bill as introduced.