This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/wales_politics/7522838.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
MPs call for cut in Welsh 'laws' | MPs call for cut in Welsh 'laws' |
(10 minutes later) | |
MPs are calling for a cut in the number of bids by the Welsh Assembly Government and AMs for more powers. | MPs are calling for a cut in the number of bids by the Welsh Assembly Government and AMs for more powers. |
The Welsh affairs select committee say 11 proposed legislative competence orders (LCOs) risk swamping the system, when they expected only four or five. | The Welsh affairs select committee say 11 proposed legislative competence orders (LCOs) risk swamping the system, when they expected only four or five. |
The assembly's limited powers for more laws, under review by Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, must win the MPs' backing. | The assembly's limited powers for more laws, under review by Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, must win the MPs' backing. |
The assembly government said MPs do have an important role to play, and they will examine their views closely. | The assembly government said MPs do have an important role to play, and they will examine their views closely. |
The MPs have told Mr Murphy they are concerned there should be a smaller number of high quality bids, saying too many bids could bring the process into disrepute. | The MPs have told Mr Murphy they are concerned there should be a smaller number of high quality bids, saying too many bids could bring the process into disrepute. |
Mr Murphy said the process of scrutinising the proposed Welsh-only laws needed "practical commonsense being applied to it" as both MPs and AMs found their way through the process. | Mr Murphy said the process of scrutinising the proposed Welsh-only laws needed "practical commonsense being applied to it" as both MPs and AMs found their way through the process. |
He told BBC Radio Wales: "I think the fact that it is so very new that it's meant that we've had to see how we can deal with it. | He told BBC Radio Wales: "I think the fact that it is so very new that it's meant that we've had to see how we can deal with it. |
PROGRESS OF PROPOSED LAWS Vulnerable children: awaiting royal approvalDomiciliary care: has royal approvalAdditional learning needs: has royal approvalEnvironmental protection: not had Whitehall clearanceAffordable housing: in committee in Parliament and assemblyMental health services: awaiting Whitehall clearanceDomestic fire safety: not yet introduced to ParliamentWelsh language: at the drafting stageCarers: at the drafting stageBus and coach services: at the drafting stageNational flags on registration plates: AMs to debate in October "That's why I decided a month or two ago that I would look at the scrutiny arrangements. We'll keep that under review over the next year as well." | |
Mr Murphy said he was impressed with the way MPs and AMs had dealt with the complexity of some of the proposed legislation. | Mr Murphy said he was impressed with the way MPs and AMs had dealt with the complexity of some of the proposed legislation. |
He said he expected "about four" LCOs to be ready by October, with the process for scrutinising them speeding up later. | He said he expected "about four" LCOs to be ready by October, with the process for scrutinising them speeding up later. |
He added: "Some are more difficult and complex and sometimes more controversial than others and therefore require more debate and more scrutiny." | He added: "Some are more difficult and complex and sometimes more controversial than others and therefore require more debate and more scrutiny." |
Officials in Cardiff and London had been issued with guidance notes on handling LCOs, he said. | Officials in Cardiff and London had been issued with guidance notes on handling LCOs, he said. |
Welsh affairs select committee chairman Hywel Francis said better planning was needed between Cardiff Bay and Westminster, but he was confident that the workload would be reduced by the autumn. | Welsh affairs select committee chairman Hywel Francis said better planning was needed between Cardiff Bay and Westminster, but he was confident that the workload would be reduced by the autumn. |
He said: "My committee has been working incredibly hard and catching up very quickly. Our workload has increased by 50%. We're not complaining about that." | He said: "My committee has been working incredibly hard and catching up very quickly. Our workload has increased by 50%. We're not complaining about that." |
Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said the MPs were trying to "narrow" the powers to the assembly by asking for the purpose of the proposed laws. | Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said the MPs were trying to "narrow" the powers to the assembly by asking for the purpose of the proposed laws. |
He said: "They should not be asking what are we going to to do with them when we've got them. | He said: "They should not be asking what are we going to to do with them when we've got them. |
"That is a very worrying issue in relation to those powers coming to Wales." | "That is a very worrying issue in relation to those powers coming to Wales." |
Earlier this month, assembly Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas said it was for Parliament to keep up with the assembly. | Earlier this month, assembly Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas said it was for Parliament to keep up with the assembly. |
He said the system dealing with LCOs would become simpler over time. | He said the system dealing with LCOs would become simpler over time. |