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Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

Indeed, I suggest that it may be the best way to proceed because that is the nature of the devolution settlement. I would resist the concept of ““devolution creep””, which I think is being promoted here. We should have a very clear distinction with regard to roles and accountability. UK government departments have their own line of accountability. They are answerable not only to Ministers but to Select Committees and to ombudsmen nationally in a whole host of ways. I believe that if the commissioner deals with matters in the non-devolved area, it is right and proper that such representations are made through the Assembly Government. I do not think that we should in any way undermine the important, and strong, relationship that has developed between the Assembly and Westminster Governments and those channels. That is the essence of the system for devolved settlement that we have created. I do not think that we should in any way try to bypass or undermine that; otherwise, there will be a confusion of accountability, which is very bad for democracy.