Commission on the Powers of the National
Assembly for Wales Consultation on a Single Equality
Body for Great Britain
Response from Equal Opportunities Commission Wales
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| The Westminster Government
opened a consultation late in 2002 on the future infrastructure
for equality in-Great Britain. The current Equality Commissions
(Equal Opportunities Commission, Commission for Racial
Equality and Disability Rights Commission) each cover
England, Wales and Scotland, with offices in Wales and
Scotland, but none has formally devolved powers or resources
to its offices in Wales or Scotland. None has formal links
with the National Assembly for Wales or the Scottish Parliament. |
| In conducting its consultation,
the Government included a question on devolution, question
7. This said: |
"The Government intends to establish any new equality
machinery for the whole of Great Britain, reflecting
the devolution settlement. What arrangements need
to be in place to meet the distinctive economic, political,
legal and cultural circumstances in Scotland and Wales?"
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| Some of the key responses,
from the viewpoint of-the Commission on the Powers of
the National Assembly for Wales, are attached. These come
from: |
| The Associate Parliamentary
Group on Sex Equality |
- The Welsh Assembly Government
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- The National Assembly for Wales Equality
of Opportunity Committee
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- A Diversity Group drawn together
by the EOC, CRE and DRC in Wales
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- The Equal Opportunities Commission
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| These responses, and many
others, address the devolution issues within the context
of the question asked in the consultation paper, which
did not invite comment on the possibility of separate
Equality Commissions in Wales and Scotland. |
| Common ground in the attached
responses, and many of the other 200 plus responses, include: |
| While the equality legislation
remains reserved to Westminster, it is vital that the
Single Equality Body in Wales retains its links with Westminster
and Whitehall. The Single Equality Body in_ Wales should
have formal links with the Assembly. The Wales Single
Equality Body should take proper account of the devolution
legislation framework. In particular, the Assembly's duty
to promote equality should be reflected in the-functions
of the Single Equality Body in Wales - with the body advising
on and monitoring the equality aspects of the Government
of Wales Act, namely section 120, which requires the Assembly
to promote equality, and section 48, which requires that
its business is carried out with due regard for equality.
The Single Equality Body in Wales should have sufficient
resources and autonomy to enable it to respond to the
distinctive equality agenda and priorities in Wales. Consideration
should be given to the Single Equality Body in Wales taking
responsibility for the equality aspects of the Welsh language.
The Assembly should have greater involvement in appointing
the Wales Commissioner - at present this is handled by
a Whitehall department, with the appointment made formally
by a Secretary of State.
17 April 2003
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