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General Debate on St David's Day and Welsh Affairs - 26th February 2026

There is no debate pack for this debate but links to relevant briefings are provided below.

The first debate specifically set aside for discussion of “Welsh affairs” in the House of Commons took place on 17 October 1944.

That debate was led by Megan Lloyd George, the Liberal MP for Anglesey, who considered the debate “somewhat overdue”. She said: “We welcome this Debate as a recognition of the distinctive problems and needs of Wales, not as an area, not as a part of England, but as a nation with a living language of its own, with hundreds of years of history behind it, and with its own culture.”

Not all Welsh Members supported the idea of a dedicated debate. Aneurin Bevan, the Labour MP for Ebbw Vale, said that while Wales had “a special place, a special individuality, a special culture and special claims”, he did not think “this is the place where any of them can properly be considered”.

Commons Library Briefings

The United Kingdom constitution – a mapping exercise

A briefing paper which “maps” (or summarises) the main elements of the United Kingdom’s uncodified constitution, including the devolution settlement in Wales.

The Barnett Formula and Fiscal Devolution 

This briefing looks at how the Barnett formula works and includes a brief summary of the debate surrounding the formula.

Introduction to devolution in the United Kingdom

An introduction to the devolution settlements in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, London and parts of England.

Reserved matters in the United Kingdom

A briefing paper focusing on policy matters which remain "reserved" to Westminster following the devolution of certain executive and legislative powers to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Members of Parliament holding dual mandates

MPs who also held seats in the European Parliament, Northern Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament, and Senedd Cymru / National Assembly for Wales, since 1973.

Devolution in Wales: “A process, not an event”

A briefing paper on the devolution settlement in Wales, examining the events which led to the creation of the then National Assembly of Wales in 1999 and the subsequent expansion of the powers of what is now the Senedd (or Welsh Parliament) over the past quarter of a century.

Recent debates on Welsh Affairs

Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill

Crown Estate (Wales) Bill [HL]

St David’s Day and Welsh Affairs

Recent bills relating to Welsh Affairs

The Crown Estate (Wales) Bill [HL], introduced in the House of Lords, seeks to transfer responsibility for the Crown Estate in Wales to the Welsh Government. The bill has had its first and second reading in the Lords and is currently awaiting its second reading in the House of Commons. 

The Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill made provision about absent voting in connection with local government elections in Scotland and Wales, elections to the Scottish Parliament and elections to the Senedd. The bill gained Royal Assent as the Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Act 2025 on 27 October 2025.

Welsh Affairs Committee

Current Committee Inquiries

Cross-border healthcare arrangements between England and Wales

This inquiry is building on the Committee’s previous evidence session on cross-border healthcare to explore in greater depth the issues affecting patients. It will look at the progress that has been made with cross-border healthcare arrangements as well as identify areas of improvement. It will also seek to address the impact of recent policy healthcare announcements on cross-border healthcare arrangements.

Farming in Wales in 2025: Challenges and Opportunities

Wales has a long tradition of farming, and the sector is integral to the Welsh economy. In 2022, agriculture, fishing and forestry accounted for 1.8% of total employment in Wales and over 90% of the land area of Wales is utilised for farming. Our predecessor Committee reported that in 2020, the gross output of agriculture in Wales was worth £1.7 billion to the Welsh economy, with agriculture comprising 1% of the total Gross Value Added for Wales.

Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales

This inquiry is looking at the challenges and opportunities that are presented by this unique constitutional arrangement, examining where the UK and Welsh Governments are working well together, as well as identifying areas for improvement.

The environmental and economic legacy of Wales' industrial past

Wales has a proud industrial heritage based on activities such as coal mining, slate quarrying, copper smelting, steelmaking and manufacturing among others.

Today, most of the heavy industries that powered the Welsh economy during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have gone. This inquiry will examine their environmental legacy, the economic impact of their decline, and what it means for Wales as it transitions to the green and digital economies.

Promoting Wales for inward investment

This inquiry is looking at how ‘Brand Wales’ is promoted internationally to market Wales as a competitive destination for inward investment, and what lessons can be learnt from success stories in the creative industries and sports sectors.

Recently published Committee reports

Farming in Wales in 2025: Challenges and Opportunities12 November 2025

Appointment of Delyth Evans as S4C Chair, 25 April 2025