Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 7:08 pm on 28 March 2023.
It's my pleasure to speak at the Final Stage of this consolidation Bill. I want to join with the Counsel General in thanking those who've worked so hard on the Bill as it's travelled at some pace through the Senedd over the last few weeks. In particular, I want to thank the LJC committee for their work on the consolidation Bill. Second, it may surprise the Chamber that we as Welsh Conservatives will be happy to support this Bill today as well. Although we were disappointed that our previous amendments were not supported, we are grateful that the Counsel General was willing to listen and consider a range of views.
A number of the amendments concerned shipwrecks, and I'd like to reassure the Chamber they were not wrecking amendments, but amendments on wrecks. I welcome the fact that the Counsel General is open to suggestions on protecting the historic marine environment and that he'll be conducting a review in this area, but I'd like to assure him we'll keep a close eye on how he conducts the review and his adherence to the timetable he set out to the committee of the end of 2024. I'm looking forward to assessing what the Welsh Government comes up with in terms of a historic marine environment Bill and the future protections for shipwrecks. However, until we see that Bill, we'll reserve judgment.
It's my pleasure to support today's Bill on behalf of the Welsh Conservatives, upon which we'll continue to be a critical friend. Thank you.