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Proceeding contribution from Roger Williams (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Monday, 23 January 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on Government of Wales Bill.


Government of Wales Bill

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. I know of his interest in Welsh affairs, because his name often appears on the Order Paper for Welsh questions. Yes, we are suggesting that the Assembly should have power over the police, and it has been suggested for some time that it should have the power to determine the finances of the police authorities. Indeed, chief constables support that view. We believe that the police would function best if they were under the control of the Assembly. That is our policy. Why should Wales have a different system from Scotland? Is that because, unlike Scotland, we are subject to a second-class system? Would it not be much better and much clearer for people such as myself who support the United Kingdom, who want to stay within the United Kingdom and who want Wales to play an important part in the United Kingdom, to have every assurance that the Welsh Assembly has the competence to legislate on the reserve matters as set out in new schedule 1 and that Wales will remain in the United Kingdom but with all the powers necessary to deliver first-class services for the people of Wales?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
441 c1247-8 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Devolved matters Devolution Constitutions Delegated legislation Legislative process Energy Legislative competence Functions Legislative drafting Police Powers Prisons National Assembly for Wales Referendums Parliamentary scrutiny Politics and government Ombudsman Ministers Parliament Probation Transport Wales Welsh language Reserved matters Statutory instruments
Legislation
Government of Wales Bill 2005-06
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk