Oral answer to question provided on Wednesday, 16 January 2008 in the House of Commons, by Lord Hain (Labour), Wales Office.

Devolved Government

Answer: As the hon. Gentleman knows—I think that he was present for it—there was a briefing on the Planning Bill given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Wales and the Minister concerned last week. At that briefing, it was explained why the complexities involved meant that the framework clause was not yet ready. When it is ready, the hon. Gentleman will be given an opportunity, as will his hon. Friends and all other Members who have an interest, to question the Ministers concerned. The measure will be subject to proper scrutiny, as it will be throughout the process as it goes into the Bill and is debated in the House.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Wednesday, 16 January 2008 by David Jones (Conservative).

Question: Last year, the Welsh Assembly Government applied to the Wales Office for framework powers conferring legislative competence to be included in the Planning Bill. Six months later, the Bill has had its Second Reading and is now in Committee, yet the draft clauses relating to those powers have still not been produced. Will the Secretary of State please tell us whether that unacceptable delay is the product of deliberate policy, administrative oversight or simple incompetence?

Secondary information

Type: Oral answer to question
Reference: 470 c915-6
Session: 2007-08
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Devolution Legislative competence National Assembly for Wales Wales
Link: View this Oral answer to question on www.publications.parliament.uk