Appendix 2: Issues Meriting Research

Assembly Powers

Evidence from both within the Assembly Government and from outside bodies as to the difficulties and constraints experienced by the Assembly administration in policy making and executive implementation under the present devolution arrangements.

Evidence from Whitehall departments as to problems experienced by them in policy making attributable to the devolution arrangements.

Evidence from AMs as to the problems they have met as a result of the present devolution arrangements in carrying out their perceived functions, notably in subject committees, in making secondary legislation and in scrutinising executive decisions and services.

An assessment of the demands of committee work on the available AMs involving a survey (perhaps by the Presiding Office) that indicates: (i) the extent to which changes in committee membership have occurred in the first three years; and (ii) the number of committees on which individual AMs have served (particularly at the same time).

Public opinion research as to public attitudes in relation to the operation of the devolution arrangements and towards the possible options for change in NAW’s powers.

Resource and financial implications of the options under consideration, which include calculated estimates of additional numbers of AMs, civil servants and budgetary costs.

Legal issues that would have to be addressed in order to implement the different options, in particular the likely impact on the Government of Wales Act.

Electoral Arrangements

On the basis of the 2003 election results if possible, modelling the differences to party representation that might have occurred under each option.

A survey of the attitudes and experiences of AMs arising from differences in their responsibilities as constituency or regional AMs.

Public opinion research as to public attitudes in relation to the present method of electing AMs and towards the possible options for change in the electoral arrangements.

The legal issues that would have to be addressed in order to implement the different options, in particular the likely impact on the Government of Wales Act.