Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:19 pm on 17 January 2023.
Thank you, Llywydd. Six months or so have passed since I introduced the Historic Environment (Wales) Bill. At that time, members of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee expressed their enthusiasm to scrutinise this historic piece of legislation—the first piece of legislation where the Senedd plays a formal part in consolidating Welsh law. Certainly, the committee took up the opportunity to discuss the Bill, leading to the publication of its report on 23 December. I'm pleased to put on record today my sincere thanks to the Chair, to the committee members and to the committee staff for their work and for their time. As well as considering the Bill and the supplementary documents, which come to more than 500 pages, they've also looked at evidence that I've submitted, the drafters of the Bill and stakeholders. This is reflected in the report itself, which proposes recommendations with regard to the Bill itself, as well as considering some wider issues related to the consolidation of legislation. We have a great deal to consider and learn from the report following the initial consideration of the committee of this first consolidation Bill.