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Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) Order 2008

My Lords, surely it is entirely appropriate for Wales Assembly Ministers to exercise this function. One presumes that, as every such order makes its administrative way to Cardiff, the Wales Assembly gains in confidence and status. The process may well evidence a further accretion of powers by the Wales Assembly Government—powers that it has sought and that most people in Wales will surely agree with. In that, we are observing a further maturation of the Wales Assembly’s achievement. ““More constitutional creep”” is not the phrase that I am thinking of, but it is something like that. One hopes that this legislation will lead to more and better governance; good governance is surely the objective of what we are discussing. I hope too that it aids better services for ordinary people at the grass roots; that surely is another objective of such legislation. The subject of mental health is important. I recollect as a Welsh Office Minister receiving advice from the now noble Lord, Lord Prys-Davies. As a special adviser in the mid-1970s he gave wise advice to Ministers, and we made advances in mental health in which he had an important role. I ask the Minister to tell us of an instance of the sale of good will. In paragraphs 7.9 to 7.12 of the Explanatory Memorandum, there are references to professional procedures that are somewhat puzzling to the lay person. What amounts of money might be paid for good will? Is it many thousands of pounds? Can she furnish us with an example to illuminate our proceedings? However, the transfer of functions order regarding medical practice and certificates must surely be the right procedure. I wish this legislation well.