DOCSLIB.ORG

Government Response to Procedure Committee's Report on the Use Of

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Government Response to Procedure Committee's Report on the Use Of Government Response to Procedure Committee’s Report on the Use of the Welsh Language in the Welsh Grand Committee at Westminster The Government welcomes the Committee’s work to assess both the technical feasibility and the desirability of conducting proceedings in the Welsh Grand Committee at Westminster in Welsh. The House has made a number of small but significant changes to the rules relating to the use of the Welsh language in the House of Commons since the passing of the Welsh Language Act 1993. We believe that these changes have reflected the spirit of that Act in recognising the importance of the Welsh language as well as acknowledging the contribution that the Welsh language makes to the cultural diversity of the United Kingdom as a whole. Recommendations and Conclusions 1. Based on the information provided to us by the Clerk of the House and others, we conclude that there is no insurmountable technical bar to the English and Welsh languages both being used at sittings of the Welsh Grand Committee at Westminster. (Paragraph 19) The Government agrees with the Committee’s assessment that there is no insurmountable technical bar to the English and Welsh languages both being used at sittings of the Welsh Grand Committee at Westminster. 2. The additional cost to the House of a bilingual sitting of the Welsh Grand Committee at Westminster will not be negligible. Even if as many costs as possible are absorbed by existing staff budgets, and simultaneous interpretation is provided as cheaply as possible, it is unlikely that the additional outturn cost of such a sitting will be less than £1,000. The cost of bilingual sittings away from Westminster can, however, be relatively high, even when no additional staff cost is entailed. (Paragraph 21) We note the Committee’s finding that there will be increased costs associated with holding meetings of the Welsh Grand Committee at Westminster in both English and Welsh. These costs should be subsumed under existing House of Commons resources. 3. We restate unequivocally the principle that English is the language of proceedings in the House of Commons. We recognise and support the rationale for the limited derogation which successive Houses have afforded to the use of the Welsh language in parliamentary proceedings since 1996. The Welsh language has a unique statutory status, granted by an Act of the UK Parliament. There is no pressing case for an overall change to the derogation. We detect no calls for the use of other minority languages in parliamentary proceedings. (Paragraph 29) It is the Government’s view that English is, and should remain, the language of the House of Commons. It is vital to the transparency and accountability of our democracy that proceedings in the House are easily intelligible by people from across the United Kingdom. As a result, the record of any proceedings in the Welsh Grand Committee conducted in Welsh should be produced in English and the broadcast of those proceedings should always be primarily in English. Therefore where there are technological constraints which prevent broadcasting simultaneously in English and Welsh, such as those the Clerk of the House highlighted in his note to the Committee, English should always take precedence. The status provided by the Welsh Language Act 1993 is unique within the United Kingdom. It is this status that forms the basis of the derogation for the use of the Welsh language in particular circumstances in the House of Commons. As there are no other languages with a similar status in statute, we do not perceive there to be a case for a similar derogation to apply to other languages. 4. We consider that it is time for the House to revisit the issue of the use of Welsh in the Welsh Grand Committee. The House may remain content with the current position, under which the Welsh language may only be used in the Welsh Grand Committee when it sits in Wales. Alternatively, given the unique statutory protection provided for the Welsh language in the UK, the House may consent to the use of the Welsh language in the Welsh Grand Committee when it sits at Westminster. (Paragraph 33) 5. We consider that it would be appropriate for the House to take a decision on the matter by considering a motion to modify the existing derogation as expressed in the Resolution of 5 June 1996, as amended. Time for such a debate could be allocated by the Backbench Business Committee, on the application of a Member or Members. (Paragraph 34) We will respond to points four and five together. The Government agrees with the recommendation for the House to revisit the issue of the use of Welsh in the Welsh Grand Committee at Westminster. We therefore intend to bring forward a debate in Government time with a motion to modify the existing derogation as expressed in the Resolution of 5 June 1996, as amended, which would have the effect of allowing proceedings in the Welsh Grand Committee at Westminster to be conducted in both English and Welsh, with simultaneous interpretation. The Government intends to support the motion as we believe that this very limited change, applying only to the Welsh Grand Committee, will enhance the perception of the House of Commons among Welsh speakers as well as enabling them to better engage with its proceedings. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • International Colloquium on Education: British and American Perspectives (4Th, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom, May 22-24, 1995)
    DOCUMENT RESUME ED 403 238 SP 037 098 TITLE International Colloquium on Education: British and American Perspectives (4th, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom, May 22-24, 1995). Proceedings. INSTITUTION Wales Univ., Swansea. Dept. of Education. REPORT NO ISBN-0-90094-438-2 PUB DATE May 95 NOTE 148p. PUB TYPE Collected Works Conference Proceedings (021) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC06 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Action Research; *College School Cooperation; Cooperative Learning; Educational Change; *Educational Environment; *Educational Policy; Educational Research; Elementary Secondary Education; English (Second Language); Foreign Countries; Higher Education; High Risk Students; Inservice Teacher Education; *Instructional Leadership; Language Minorities; Mathematics Education; Minority Group Teachers; *Partnerships in Education; Standards; Student Evaluation IDENTIFIERS United States; University of Wales Swansea; University of Wisconsin la Crosse; Wales ABSTRACT This collection of studies represents collaboration between the Departments of Education of theUniversity of Wales Swansea and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The papers are as follows: (1) "Analysing the Social Climate of Schools andClassrooms" (Robert W. Bilby);(2) "Reading Whose World?" (Diane Cannon);(3) "The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' Standards:Systemic Change for the Twenty-first Century" (M. ElizabethCason); (4) "Developing Baseline Assessment: A Useful Tool or.a NecessaryEvil?" (Gill Harper-Jones);(5) "A Critical Analysis of Identification, Evaluation, Placement and Programming Processes for Studentsin the United States Who Are Identified as Having ExceptionalNeeds" (Hal Hiebert); (6) "The Effects of Recent Government Policy on the Provision of English Language Instruction for Children ofEthnic Minorities in South Wales" (Graham Howells); (7) "Cooperative Learning in the Workshop: Integrating Social Skills, GroupRoles and Processing to Facilitate Learning in the Integrated Language Arts Classroom" (Carol A.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on the Welsh Language
    Index Abse, Leo, 193 Coalitionism, 157 Annan, Lord, Olairman of the Commit- Committee on Scottish Affairs, 56 tee on Broadcasting 1974, 76 Commonwealth Office, 60 Army, British, 120 Congested Districts Board for the High­ Arson, 1979-80 campaign in Wales, 89 lands 1897, 150 Assembly, 4 Conservatism and Unionism, 139-70 Scottish, 187, 188, 189, 191, 192 political ideas and practice, 143-4 Welsh, 96, 187, 191, 192, 194 territorial politics, 143 Conservative Irish policy, 153 Balfour, A. J., 153, 155, 157 Conservative Party, 139-70 passim 'Barnett formula', 21, 24 in Scotland and Wales, 14-16 Bi-lingualism in Wales, 69. 70, 75, 78, and voting, 227-47 88 in Wales, 73 bi-lingual education, 83, 87 and Welsh language, 93-4 schools, 81, 82 Constitution, Royal Commission on 'BloodySunday',30January 1972,114 (Crowther, Kilbrandon), 3-4, 13, Board of Trade, 36, 37, 45, 50 16, 94, 188-9, 191 Boer War, 148, 154, 156 Constitutional Convention (NI) 1975, Bonar Law, 157 117' 126 Border Poll Act 1973, 122 CoS IRA, 42, 53 Boundaries between Northern Ireland Council for Wales and Monmouthshire, and Irish Republic, 123 report on The Welsh Language Bowen Committee 1973, 71, 94 Today 1963, 72 British Leyland, 19, 42, 48, 51, 53 Council for the Welsh Language, 72, 92, 94,95 Cabinet and ministries, 60 Council of Ireland, 116, ll7, 124 Callaghan, James, 17, Ill, ll2, 113, Crossman, Richard, 17, 18, 191 127 Diary 1976, 14 Campaign for Democracy in Ulster, Ill Crown, the, 1-3, 100, 101, 102, 104, Campbell-Bannerman, Sir H., 155 119 Carmarthen by-election 1966, 183 Crowther-Hunt, Lord, 191 Central Policy Review Staff Report, 27 Olamberlain, Neville, 148, 159, 161 Dalyell, Tam, 194.
    [Show full text]
  • THE USE of INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES in PROCEEDINGS of the HOUSE of COMMONS and COMMITTEES Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs
    THE USE OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES IN PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND COMMITTEES Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs The Honourable Larry Bagnell, Chair JUNE 2018 42nd PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION Published under the authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons SPEAKER’S PERMISSION The proceedings of the House of Commons and its Committees are hereby made available to provide greater public access. The parliamentary privilege of the House of Commons to control the publication and broadcast of the proceedings of the House of Commons and its Committees is nonetheless reserved. All copyrights therein are also reserved. Reproduction of the proceedings of the House of Commons and its Committees, in whole or in part and in any medium, is hereby permitted provided that the reproduction is accurate and is not presented as official. This permission does not extend to reproduction, distribution or use for commercial purpose of financial gain. Reproduction or use outside this permission or without authorization may be treated as copyright infringement in accordance with the Copyright Act. Authorization may be obtained on written application to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons. Reproduction in accordance with this permission does not constitute publication under the authority of the House of Commons. The absolute privilege that applies to the proceedings of the House of Commons does not extend to these permitted reproductions. Where a reproduction includes briefs to a Standing Committee of the House of Commons, authorization for reproduction may be required from the authors in accordance with the Copyright Act.
    [Show full text]
  • Parliamentary Debates House of Commons Official Report
    PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT Welsh Grand Committee SILK COMMISSION Wednesday 5 February 2014 (Morning) CONTENTS Silk Commission General debate in progress when the Committee adjourned till this day at Two o’clock. PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS LONDON – THE STATIONERY OFFICE LIMITED £6·00 Members who wish to have copies of the Official Report of Proceedings in General Committees sent to them are requested to give notice to that effect at the Vote Office. No proofs can be supplied. Corrigenda slips may be published with Bound Volume editions. Corrigenda that Members suggest should be clearly marked in a copy of the report—not telephoned—and must be received in the Editor’s Room, House of Commons, not later than Sunday 9 February 2014 STRICT ADHERENCE TO THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL GREATLY FACILITATE THE PROMPT PUBLICATION OF THE BOUND VOLUMES OF PROCEEDINGS IN GENERAL COMMITTEES © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2014 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 1 Welsh Grand Committee5 FEBRUARY 2014 Silk Commission 2 The Committee consisted of the following Members: Chairs: MARTIN CATON,†ALBERT OWEN † Bebb, Guto (Aberconwy) (Con) Irranca-Davies, Huw (Ogmore) (Lab) Brennan, Kevin (Cardiff West) (Lab) † James, Mrs Siân C. (Swansea East) (Lab) Bryant, Chris (Rhondda) (Lab) † Jones, Mr David (Secretary of State for Wales) Buckland, Mr Robert (South Swindon) (Con) Jones, Susan Elan (Clwyd South) (Lab) † Cairns, Alun (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con) † Kawczynski, Daniel (Shrewsbury and Atcham) Clwyd, Ann (Cynon Valley) (Lab) (Con) † Crabb, Stephen (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of † Llwyd, Mr Elfyn (Dwyfor Meirionnydd) (PC) State for Wales) † Lucas, Ian (Wrexham) (Lab) David, Wayne (Caerphilly) (Lab) Moon, Mrs Madeleine (Bridgend) (Lab) Davies, David T.
    [Show full text]
  • WRITTEN EVIDENCE from the SECRETARY of STATE for WALES I Shall Address in Turn Each of the Issues Raised in the Committee’S Call for Evidence
    Subordinate Legislation Committee Inquiry into the scrutiny of subordinate legislation and delegated powers Consultation Response SLC 9 - Secretary of State for Wales WRITTEN EVIDENCE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WALES I shall address in turn each of the issues raised in the Committee’s call for evidence 1. Scrutiny of Statutory Instruments on the grounds set out in Standing Order 15.3 • The effectiveness of the Welsh Assembly Government’s consultation with stakeholders in respect of statutory instruments: For the Welsh Assembly Government to comment. • How the Welsh Assembly Government works with the UK Government when drafting statutory instruments For the Welsh Assembly Government to comment. However, UK Departments and the Welsh Assembly Government work closely together where legislation requires drafting of a statutory instrument, to ensure that Welsh interests are properly represented. • How the Committee can undertake effective and timely scrutiny of regulations in respect of their legal importance or policy objectives This is a matter for the Committee. • What the Committee can learn from the House of Lords Merits Committee, whose reporting remit is similar to that of SO 15.3 This is a matter for the Committee. 2. Additional considerations relating to statutory instruments implementing European Union Directives • The effectiveness and transparency of the Welsh Assembly Government’s transposition procedures For the Welsh Assembly Government to comment. • The extent to which the Welsh Assembly Government can and does tailor the implementing regulations to the needs of Wales in view of the parameters set by European Directives For the Welsh Assembly Government to comment. 3. Scrutiny of Bills of the UK Parliament which have an impact in Wales • The procedures in place to make transparent the implications of UK Bills on areas of devolved competency and the powers of Welsh Ministers As Secretary of State for Wales, I have statutory duty {section 33 of GOWA 06} to consult the National Assembly on the UK Government’s legislative programme.
    [Show full text]
  • Wales, the United Kingdom and Europe
    WALES, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND EUROPE OCTOBER 2013 THE LEARNED SOCIETY OF WALES CYMDEITHAS DDYSGEDIG CYMRU CELEBRATING SCHOLARSHIP AND SERVING THE NATION DATHLU YSGOLHEICTOD A GWASANAETHU’R GENEDL BRITISH ACADEMY The British Academy is the UK’s independent national academy representing the humanities and social sciences. For over a century it has supported and celebrated the best in UK and international research and helped connect the expertise of those working in these disciplines with the wider public. The Academy supports innovative research and outstanding people, influences policy and seeks to raise the level of public understanding of some of the biggest issues of our time, through policy reports, publications and public events. The Academy represents the UK’s research excellence worldwide in a fast changing global environment. It promotes UK research in international arenas, fosters a global approach across UK research, and provides leadership in developing global links and expertise. www.britac.ac.uk LEARNED SOCIETY OF WALES The Learned Society of Wales is Wales’s first national scholarly academy. A Registered Charity (no. 1141526), it was formally established and launched in May 2010. The Society’s guiding ethos is Celebrating Scholarship and Serving the Nation: as well as to celebrate, recognise, safeguard and encourage excellence in every one of the scholarly disciplines, its purpose is also to harness and channel the nation’s talent, as embodied in its Fellows, for the benefit, primarily, of Wales and its people. Its Mission
    [Show full text]
  • Nations and Regions: the Dynamics of Devolution
    Nations and Regions: The Dynamics of Devolution Quarterly Monitoring Programme Devolution and the Centre Quarterly Report February 2003 by Guy Lodge The monitoring programme is jointly funded by the ESRC and the Leverhulme Trust 1 Contents Contents Key Points 1 Devolution and Westminster 1.1 House of Lords Debate on the Constitution 1.2 New Breakaway Conservative Party 1.3 House of Lords Constitution Committee 1.4 Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill 1.5 Parliamentary Questions to the Wales Office 1.6 The Work of the Territorial Select Committees 1.7 The Work of the Grand Committees 1.8 Select Committee on the Lord Chancellor’s Department 1.9 Minority Party Representation on Select Committees 1.10 Barnett Formula 1.11 House of Lords Reform 2 Devolution and Whitehall 2.1 Edwina Hart accuses Whitehall of obstructing National Assembly 2.2 Helen Liddell Announces Decision on MSP Numbers 2.3 The Future of the Territorial Offices 3 Intergovernmental Relations 3.1 Meeting of JMC (Europe) 3.2 British-Irish Council Summit 3.3 Meeting of the British-Irish Council Environment Group 3.4 Meeting of the British-Irish Council Drugs Group 3.5 UK Government and the Devolved Bodies Launch the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy Consultation 2 Key Points • Assembly Finance Minister Edwina Hart criticises Whitehall civil servants • Lord Norton debate on the British Constitution in the House of Lords • Helen Liddell announces that the number of MSPs will remain at 129 in the outcome of the consultation on the size of the Scottish Parliament. • House of Lords Constitution Committee publishes Devolution: Inter- Institutional Relations in the United Kingdom • House of Lords debate on the Barnett Formula • Second Reading and Committee Stage of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill • Seven options for Lords Reform fail to gain a majority.
    [Show full text]
  • The Strange Reconstitution of Wales
    THE STRANGE RECONSTITUTION OF WALES Richard Rawlings* Professor of Public Law, UCL; Honorary Distinguished Professor, Cardiff University; Leverhulme Major Research Fellow Wales; Devolution; Constitutional Change; Legislative Process; Brexit The emergence of determinedly forward-looking and principled approaches to the design and workings of the territorial constitution is a notable feature of public life in contemporary Wales. First Minister Carwyn Jones has adopted a ‘new Union’ mind-set in the light of devolution, so championing a looser and less hierarchical set of UK constitutional arrangements in which, grounded in popular sovereignty, the several systems of representative democracy pursue self-rule and shared rule in cooperative fashion.1 Building on, and even ranging beyond, the operational realities of quasi-federalism,2 some basic tenets of constitutional policy for the UK as a multi- (pluri-) national state3 are elaborated accordingly by the Welsh Government. Namely that the UK is best seen as a voluntary association of nations in which devolved institutions are effectively permanent features; in which the allocation of functions is based on the twin elements of subsidiarity and mutual benefit; and in which the relations of the four governments are characterised by mutual respect and parity of esteem.4 A form of ‘Greater England’ unionism, one which tolerates only limited territorial difference,5 this is not. Reference is also made in the context of Brexit to pooled and shared sovereignty within the UK,6 a challenging notion in more ways than one. For an uncodified constitution historically grounded in parliamentary sovereignty, such an advanced and even radical set of official perspectives is the more noteworthy coming as it does from the only devolved government fully committed to the UK.
    [Show full text]
  • Parallel Chambers
    PARALLEL CHAMBERS Memorandum from Sir David Natzler KCB, Clerk of the House of Commons, to The House of Commons (Canada) Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs This memorandum will primarily focus on Westminster Hall, the parallel Chamber in the House of Commons, which has been in operation since 1999. Some reference to the operation of Grand Committees will also be included towards the end of the memorandum. WESTMINSTER HALL Overview 1. During the 1998-99 parliamentary session, the House of Commons Modernisation Committee published two reports regarding proposals for a parallel Chamber. Taking inspiration from procedures used in the House of Representatives, Canberra, where certain business was conducted in a parallel (albeit subordinate) Chamber, the first of these reports indicated some of the issues which would need to be addressed if a parallel Chamber were to be introduced, the impact it might have on the House of Commons, as well as some proposals for how it might work practically. The report was agreed to by the House, and the Committee embarked upon a second report to take the proposals forward. 2. The second of these reports, published later that session, reiterated the arguments for a parallel Chamber and outlined proposals for procedure relating to chairing the sittings, sitting hours, and types of Business to be taken, as well as procedure during the meetings themselves. The Report was approved by the House on 24 May 1999. 3. Since the beginning of the 1999-2000 Session, parallel sittings have been held in Westminster Hall and have provided the House of Commons with an additional forum for debate which has created more parliamentary time without increasing sitting hours.
    [Show full text]
  • Standing Orders
    STANDING ORDERS PUBLIC BUSINESS 2019 This volume contains the Standing Orders in force on 6 November 2019 Ordered by The House of Commons to be printed 5 November 2019 HC 314 TABLE OF CONTENTS Dates when each standing order was passed and amended xiii The Speaker 1. Election of the Speaker: Member presiding 1 1A. Re-election of former Speaker 1 1B. Election of Speaker by secret ballot 2 Deputy Speakers and Chairmen 2. Deputy Chairmen 5 2A. Election of the Deputy Speakers 5 3. Deputy Speaker 7 4. Panel of Chairs 8 Members (Introduction and Seating) 5. Affirmation in lieu of oath 9 6. Time for taking the oath 9 7. Seats not to be taken before prayers 9 8. Seats secured at prayers 9 Sittings of the House 9. Sittings of the House 9 10. Sittings in Westminster Hall 11 11. Friday sittings 14 12. House not to sit on certain Fridays 15 13. Earlier meeting of House in certain circumstances 16 Arrangement and Timing of Public and Private Business 14. Arrangement of public business 17 15. Exempted business 20 16. Proceedings under an Act or on European Union documents 23 17. Delegated legislation (negative procedure) 23 18. Consideration of draft legislative reform orders etc. 24 ii STANDING ORDERS 19. New writs 26 20. Time for taking private business 26 Questions, Motions, Amendments and Statements 21. Time for taking questions 27 22. Notices of questions, motions and amendments 28 22A. Written statements 29 22B. Notices of questions etc. during September 29 22C. Motions and amendments with a financial consequence for the House of Commons: Administration Estimate 30 22D.
    [Show full text]
  • Enquiry Blank
    Better Governance for Wales – key material: Statements and Debates, June 2005 – August 2005 Abstract This paper draws together the key statements and debates relating to the White Paper ‘Better Governance for Wales’ from June to August 2005. It includes transcripts of proceedings from the Assembly and Westminster. The paper will be updated regularly by the Members’ Research Service. September 2005 Members’ Research Service / Gwasanaeth Ymchwil yr Aelodau Members’ Research Service: Research Paper Gwasanaeth Ymchwil yr Aelodau: Papur Ymchwil Better Governance for Wales – key material Statements and debates, June 2005 – August 2005 Members’ Research Service September 2005 Paper number: 05/033/mrs © Crown copyright 2005 Ref no: 05/033/mrs Date: September 2005 This document has been prepared by the Members’ Research Service to provide Assembly Members and their staff with information and for no other purpose. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate, however, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies found later in the original source material, provided that the original source is not the Members’ Research Service itself. This document does not constitute an expression of opinion by the National Assembly, the Welsh Assembly Government or any other of the Assembly’s constituent parts or connected bodies. Members’ Research Service Gwasanaeth Ymchwil yr Aelodau Contents 1 Statement by the Rt Hon Peter Hain MP, Secretary of State for Wales, and debate in Parliament, 15 June 2005............................................................................... 1 2 Statement by The Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister on the White Paper, ‘Better Governance for Wales’ in the Assembly, 15 June 2005 ....................
    [Show full text]
  • Meaningful Fiscal Accountability Remains a Pipe Dream for Wales
    The Audacity of Nope: Meaningful fiscal accountability remains a pipe dream for Wales blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/the-audacity-of-nope-labour-fiscal-responsibility-and-devolution-in-wales/ 2/10/2014 Welsh Labour has hitherto refused to accept income tax devolution, arguing accepting such responsibilities would be economically detrimental to Wales without a reform of the Barnett funding formula. Recent comments made by Owen Smith, Shadow Secretary of Wales, however, leaves little doubt about the overall attitude of Welsh Labour to the first report of the Silk Commission and fiscal accountability: they don’t want it. Combined with the blundering UK government, meaningful fiscal accountability will remain a pipe dream for Wales, writes Adam Evans. Welcome everyone to devolved Britain, where a mechanism for fiscal devolution championed by Labour in Scotland as part of a Unionist response to the SNP is opposed by Labour in Wales as a threat to the union. If this seems difficult to comprehend then don’t worry, for this is the Alice through the looking glass world of post-devolution politics in Wales and the United Kingdom. I have written extensively in previous articles about the Silk proposals on fiscal devolution and the ridiculous situation whereby the decision to be fiscally accountable has been placed in the hands of the very actors with the least incentive to accept it. However, the Welsh Grand Committee’s recent debate on the draft Wales Bill appears to have taken the discussion on fiscal devolution to a new and, if possible, more farcical direction. The most significant aspect of these normally overlooked proceedings were the comments of the Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Owen Smith on fiscal devolution.
    [Show full text]