Memorandum from Michael German OBE AM,
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I am pleased to set out below my written evidence to your Commission on the Wales Abroad aspects of my responsibilities. I am writing separately on the rural development aspects of my portfolio. The material follows the structure and order suggested in your letter. |
"Wales Abroad" can most neatly be addressed in this written evidence by taking in turn the European affairs aspects of the portfolio and those relating to wider international relations. Nevertheless, I should make it clear that at the operational level we take a coherent and inclusive approach to both areas – the work undertaken in the European context is an essential part of and contributes significantly to our wider international activity, and we exploit the latter to further our European agenda. |
1 Please describe the range of issues covered within your Ministerial portfolio and include a summary description of the powers which you have available to implement the policies. |
So far as our relations with the European Union are concerned, the Concordat on Co-ordination of EU policy issues (one of the agreements between the UK Government and devolved administrations which supplements the Memorandum of Understanding published in 1999) specifically covers the Assembly’s position in relation to provision of information, formulation of UK policy on European issues, attendance at Council of Ministers and related meetings, implementation of EU obligations and infraction proceedings. The Concordat on International Relations covers similar arrangements on a more general, international basis, including relationships with UK bodies with responsibility for working on Wales’ behalf such as the British Council, Invest UK etc. |
European Affairs |
Despite the fact that relations with the EU remain the responsibility of the UK Government, many of the powers which have been transferred to the Assembly have a substantial EU component and Europe impacts significantly on our everyday business. The Assembly has therefore become a direct stakeholder in EU policy developments. The Assembly is also responsible for the implementation of EC Regulations and Directives which fall within its remit, although once again the UK Government as the Member State retains responsibility within the EU for agreeing such legislation. For both these reasons, it is essential that we remain in close touch with European policy developments and seek to influence it in ways that advance Wales’ interests. |
International Relations |
The Welsh Assembly Government has as one of its objectives to raise the profile and increase the influence of Wales on the international stage. We pursue that agenda within and beyond Europe through direct promotional activity, such as developing marketing and communication material and staging events to showcase Wales overseas, and developing relationships with other countries and regions through a range of methods including inward and outward visits, joint working with other countries and regions and networking. |
In all these activities we work closely with, and receive significant support from the UK Government, particularly the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its posts overseas within the framework provided by the Concordat on International Relations. |
We pursue both our European and our wider international activities using powers conferred under the Government of Wales Act, particularly section 33 (enabling us to make representations to anyone about any matter affecting Wales, which is clearly relevant to our influencing activities) and section 40 (allowing us to do anything which facilitates, or is conducive or incidental to the exercise of the Assembly’s functions). |
2 Can you give examples of policy development using these powers in the Assembly’s first term. |
European Affairs |
Following on from the commitment to strengthen the Assembly’s input in EU policy there have been a number of notable achievements: |
I chair the EU Enlargement Working Group, which includes representatives of the wider partnership. This was established to produce an All Wales Action Plan designed to meet the challenges and examine the opportunities presented by the enlargement of the EU. A major outcome of this work has been the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Polish region of Silesia, signed 16th October 2002. |
We used our protocol arrangements with the FCO to establish our own office in Brussels working in close association with UKReP. This opened officially in September 2000 and is developing still further. Using this office as a platform for increased profile, we have become involved in various European regional networks designed to stimulate policy debate from a regional perspective. These include, for example, the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR), the Regions with Legislative Powers (Reg-Leg) and other less formal groupings. |
International Relations |
During the Assembly’s first term our policy has been to develop a distinct and consistent Welsh agenda for promoting Wales abroad. Under the Wales World Nation initiative, this has included work towards the development of a Wales brand, based on research conducted in Wales, the UK and internationally, together with an integrated marketing and communications package for promoting Wales to an international audience. In addition we are pursuing the development of Wales International centres in key locations, with the first one opening in New York early next year. Where appropriate Wales International centres will involve the co-location of Welsh Assembly Government and Assembly Sponsored Public Body representation already based overseas and enhance the Team Wales approach to raising the profile of Wales |
3 Can you give examples of policy aspirations where either the breadth or depth of the Assembly’s powers have been a constraint |
Powers have been transferred to the Assembly piecemeal instead of by field, and we have found that fragmented domestic powers do not always allow the Assembly to implement all obligations laid down in a piece of EU legislation. If the domestic powers are not available then agreement has to be sought from Whitehall Departments to designate the Assembly under the European Communities Act 1972. This can be a lengthy process and there have been some practical difficulties in obtaining the necessary Designation Orders, or obtaining them either within the optimum time-frame, or in satisfactory terms. |
In cases where we are seeking powers to implement EC obligations or use EC rights which are closely related to matters for which we have been given domestic responsibility, the Whitehall Department will already have, or will itself need to seek, a similar designation order: thus an "extension of powers" is needed throughout Government. Nevertheless issues remain over extending the devolution settlement in this way and conferring ‘Henry VIII’ powers on the NAW (which occurs automatically when we are designated under s. 2(2) ECA). |
A further consequence of the terms of the devolution settlement is the need in some cases for joint legislation with UK Departments : this can be a complex and lengthy process, particularly where Parliamentary procedures have to be followed. |
4 To what extent have you been able to promote those policy aspirations by influencing Westminster? |
| In both European affairs and international relations, the relationships with Whitehall are constructive and productive at both Ministerial level and official level, and Whitehall is generally supportive. We have a particularly close and helpful working relationship with UKREP in Brussels, which greatly assists our dealings with the European Commission. The ability to influence UK Government is dependent on good political and personal relations- we note that in many Member states devolved administrations are represented in national delegations of European Council (treaty re-organization) and also adopt rotational arrangements for Council of Ministers meetings where the member State government has no competence in certain fields. |
5 Have you been able to influence policy on non-devolved matters which are relevant to your portfolio? |
European Affairs |
The main avenue is via the FCO, with whom there is regular Ministerial contact through JMC (Europe), MINECOR and bilateral meetings and machinery at an official level to feed in views. The establishment of a permanent Assembly Government presence in Brussels which is accredited to the UK Permanent Representation demonstrates our commitment to working with the UK Government in developing EU policy. |
The Committee of the Regions (COR) is a consultative body of local and regional representatives from EU member states, which must be consulted by the European Commission, Council of Ministers and the European Parliament on specific policy areas. The National Assembly has 1 full member and 1 alternate. The COR meets regularly to consider issues of the European Union which affect local and regional government and the communities they represent. These ’plenary’ sessions are used formally to adopt written reports outlining the Committee’s reactions to a proposed piece of legislation or policy document. |
In terms of influencing policy using informal channels, we joined the CPMR, for example, in the summer of 2001 and are exploring the scope for playing a greater role within CPMR’s Atlantic Area Commission. As one of the 150-region strong association’s largest members (in population terms), this gives us an opportunity to find common cause with others in areas such as regional policy, transport, cultural links, and to contribute our views, in the main unattributed, to policy "think-pieces" such as CPMR papers on the future of the structural and cohesion funds. CPMR have good access to members of the European Commission and we think this is a potentially useful forum to the Assembly. Similarly the Assembly Government is a member of the Conference of Regions with Legislative Power, an influential regional grouping within Europe. |
International Relations |
Within the spirit of the Concordat on International Relations there is ongoing dialogue with FCO and the development of policy reflects this. One example is the way in which FCO now encourage all posts overseas to mark St David’s Day, and members of the overseas diplomatic corps based in London to visit Wales. We regularly receive visits by UK diplomats overseas for briefing prior to taking up new posts overseas, though there is scope for more of that type of briefing activity. |
6 Are there areas of policy where responsibilities are divided between the Assembly and Whitehall in ways which (a) have a. worked well or (b) presented practical problems? |
In both overarching European affairs and international relations work, it is important to establish good working relationships with Whitehall opposite numbers. The relations are generally very good, very practical and there is generally a mutual interest in addressing UK interests from respective standpoints. The assistance we receive from our Embassies overseas is particularly worthy of note. Other Ministers’ portfolios of course include significant EC interests and they may have their own observations on this question. |
European Affairs |
I think the Parliamentary Welsh Affairs Select Committee’s report on Objective 1, published earlier this year [HC 520], illustrates one area where the division of responsibilities is working well. I quote the following recommendation from the Committee, together with UK Government’s response: |
Select Committee recommendation : "We welcome the Secretary of State’s [for Wales’] commitment to ensuring that the National Assembly for Wales will play a significant part in formulating the Government’s position on the best policy for dealing with the current Objective 1 regions once the current programming period ends. We recommend that National Assembly Ministers should be able to make a direct contribution both prior to and during negotiations with the Commission on this issue (paragraph 43)". |
UK Government response: "The Government is committed to a process of consultation, involving all the nations and regions of the UK, on the position to be adopted by the UK towards the future of the Structural Funds beyond the end of the current programming period. The Government agrees with the Select Committee that National Assembly Ministers should be able to make a direct contribution to that consultation. Discussions in Europe on this issue are still at an early stage and no Member State has yet adopted a formal position. National Assembly officials are already involved in the consultation process at the European level, for example through participation in the Commission seminars on future cohesion policy, the first of which took place in Brussels on 27-28 May. The Government envisages that National Assembly Ministers will have an important role to play in communicating the UK position to the Commission and other Member States, once this has been agreed". |
Assembly Government Ministers have already been invited to speak for the UK at various European Councils. It has also been a healthy sign of cooperation that UK Government officials have been more than willing to attend Assembly standing committees: two officials of the DTI’s regional policy directorate, for example, have given very helpful presentations to the European Affairs Committee last autumn on the emerging "future of structural and cohesion policy" position. A seminar was recently held in Swansea to bring stakeholders together to discuss this important issue and help inform Wales contribution to the UK’s response to the European Commission’s draft proposals for post 2006 social and economic cohesion policy. |
International Relations |
The opportunity for Wales to be represented overseas by Ministers from both Welsh Assembly Government and Wales Office increases the opportunities to raise Wales’ profile. This is a distinct advantage providing there is good communication between the two. |
| Michael German October 2002 |
Memorandwm gan Michael German OBE AC,
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| Rwy'n falch o gyflwyno isod fy nhystiolaeth ysgrifenedig i'ch Comisiwn ar agweddau Cymru Dramor fy nghyfrifoldebau. Rwy'n ysgrifennu ar wahân ynghylch agweddau datblygu gwledig fy mhortffolio. Mae'r deunydd yn dilyn y strwythur a'r drefn a awgrymwyd yn eich llythyr. |
| Y ffordd daclusaf o ymdrin â "Chymru Dramor" yn y dystiolaeth ysgrifenedig hon yw cymryd agweddau materion Ewropeaidd y portffolio a'r rhai hynny sy'n ymwneud â chysylltiadau rhyngwladol ehangach yn eu tro. Dylwn, serch hynny, ei gwneud yn eglur ein bod, ar y lefel weithrediadol, yn cymryd agwedd gydlynol a chynhwysol at y ddau faes - mae'r gwaith a wneir yn y cyd-destun Ewropeaidd yn rhan hanfodol o’n gweithgaredd rhyngwladol ehangach, ac yn cyfrannu’n sylweddol ato, ac rydym yn defnyddio'r olaf i hyrwyddo ein hagenda Ewropeaidd. |
| 1 A fyddech cystal â disgrifio amrediad y materion yr ymdrinnir â hwy o fewn eich portffolio Gweinidogaethol a chynhwyswch grynodeb o ddisgrifiad o'r pwerau sydd ar gael i chi i weithredu'r polisïau. |
| Cyn belled ag y mae ein perthynas â'r Undeb Ewropeaidd yn y cwestiwn, mae'r Concordat ar Gydlynu materion polisi'r UE (un o'r cytundebau rhwng Llywodraeth y DU a gweinyddiaethau sydd wedi eu datganoli sy'n ychwanegu at y Memorandwm Dealltwriaeth a gyhoeddwyd ym 1999) yn ymdrin yn benodol â safle'r Cynulliad mewn perthynas â darparu gwybodaeth, ffurfio polisi'r DU ar faterion Ewropeaidd, mynychu Cyngor y Gweinidogion a chyfarfodydd cysylltiedig, gweithredu rhwymedigaethau'r UE ac achosion o dorri rheolau. Mae'r Concordat ar Gysylltiadau Rhyngwladol yn ymdrin â threfniadau tebyg ar sail mwy cyffredinol, rhyngwladol, gan gynnwys cysylltiadau gyda chyrff y DU sydd â chyfrifoldeb am weithio ar ran Cymru fel y Cyngor Prydeinig, Invest UK ac ati. |
| Materion Ewropeaidd |
| Er gwaetha'r ffaith fod cysylltiadau gyda'r UE yn dal yn gyfrifoldeb Llywodraeth y DU, mae gan lawer o'r pwerau sydd wedi eu trosglwyddo i'r Cynulliad gydran UE sylweddol ac mae Ewrop yn effeithio'n sylweddol ar ein busnes bob dydd. Mae'r Cynulliad felly wedi dod yn rhanddeiliad uniongyrchol mewn datblygiadau polisi'r UE. Mae'r Cynulliad yn gyfrifol hefyd am weithredu Rheoliadau a Chyfarwyddebau'r UE sy'n dod o fewn ei gylch gorchwyl, er unwaith eto mae Llywodraeth y DU fel yr Aelod Wladwriaeth yn cadw'r cyfrifoldeb o fewn yr UE am gytuno ar ddeddfwriaeth o'r fath. Am y ddau reswm hwn, mae'n hanfodol ein bod yn cadw mewn cysylltiad agos gyda datblygiadau polisi Ewropeaidd ac yn ceisio dylanwadu arno mewn modd sy'n hyrwyddo buddiannau Cymru. |
| Cysylltiadau Rhyngwladol |
| Un o amcanion Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru yw codi proffil a chynyddu dylanwad Cymru ar y llwyfan rhyngwladol. Rydym yn hyrwyddo'r agenda honno o fewn a'r tu hwnt i Ewrop drwy weithgaredd hyrwyddo uniongyrchol, fel datblygu deunydd marchnata a chyfathrebu a chynnal digwyddiadau i arddangos Cymru dramor, a datblygu cysylltiadau gyda gwledydd a rhanbarthau eraill drwy amrediad o ddulliau gan gynnwys ymweliadau i mewn ac allan o'r wlad, cydweithio gyda gwledydd a rhanbarthau eraill a rhwydweithio. |
| Yn y gweithgareddau hyn i gyd rydym yn cydweithio'n agos â Llywodraeth y DU, ac yn derbyn cefnogaeth sylweddol ganddi, yn arbennig felly y Swyddfa Dramor a Chymanwlad (FCO) a'i swyddfeydd dramor o fewn fframwaith y Concordat ar Gysylltiadau Rhyngwladol. |
| Ymdriniwn â’n gweithgareddau Ewropeaidd a'n rhai rhyngwladol ehangach gan ddefnyddio pwerau a roddwyd o dan Ddeddf Llywodraeth Cymru, yn arbennig adran 33 (sy'n ein galluogi i wneud sylwadau i unrhyw un ynghylch unrhyw fater sy'n effeithio ar Gymru, sy'n amlwg yn berthnasol i'n gweithgareddau dylanwadu) ac adran 40 (sy'n caniatáu i ni wneud unrhyw beth sy'n hwyluso neu sy'n fanteisiol neu yn atodol i ymarfer swyddogaethau'r Cynulliad). |
| 2. Fedrwch chi roi enghreifftiau o ddatblygu polisi gan ddefnyddio'r pwerau hyn yn nhymor cyntaf y Cynulliad |
| Materion Ewropeaidd |
| Yn dilyn o’r ymrwymiad i gryfhau mewnbwn y Cynulliad ym mholisi'r UE bu nifer o gyflawniadau nodedig: |
| Rwy’n cadeirio Gweithgor Ehangu'r UE, sy'n cynnwys cynrychiolwyr o'r bartneriaeth ehangach. Sefydlwyd hwn i gynhyrchu Cynllun Gweithredu ar gyfer Cymru gyfan y bwriedir iddo gwrdd â'r sialensau ac archwilio'r cyfleoedd a gyflwynwyd gan ehangu'r UE. Un o ddeilliannau mawr y gwaith hwn fu arwyddo Memorandwm Dealltwriaeth gyda rhanbarth Silesia yng Ngwlad Pwyl ar 16 Hydref 2002. |
| Bu i ni ddefnyddio ein trefniadau protocol gyda'r FCO i sefydlu ein swyddfa ein hunain ym Mrwsel gan weithio yn agos gyda UKReP. Agorodd hon yn swyddogol ym Medi 2000 ac mae'n dal i ddatblygu. Gan ddefnyddio'r swyddfa hon fel llwyfan ar gyfer proffil uwch, rydym wedi bod yn ymwneud â nifer o rwydweithiau rhanbarthol Ewropeaidd y bwriedir iddynt ysgogi trafodaeth ar bolisi o bersbectif rhanbarthol. Mae'r rhain yn cynnwys, er enghraifft, Cynhadledd y Rhanbarthau Arfordirol Ymylol (CPMR), y Rhanbarthau gyda Phwerau Deddfwriaethol (Reg-Leg) a grwpiau eraill llai ffurfiol. |
| Cysylltiadau Rhyngwladol |
| Yn ystod tymor cyntaf y Cynulliad ein polisi fu datblygu agenda Gymreig bendant a chyson ar gyfer hyrwyddo Cymru dramor. O dan gynllun Wales World Nation, mae hyn wedi cynnwys gwaith tuag at ddatblygu brand Cymreig, yn seiliedig ar ymchwil a wnaed yng Nghymru, y DU ac yn rhyngwladol, ynghyd â phecyn marchnata a chyfathrebu integredig ar gyfer hyrwyddo Cymru i gynulleidfa ryngwladol. Yn ychwanegol rydym yn gweithio i ddatblygu canolfannau Cymru Ryngwladol mewn lleoliadau allweddol, gyda'r gyntaf yn agor yn Efrog Newydd yn gynnar y flwyddyn nesaf. Lle bo hynny’n briodol bydd canolfannau Cymru Ryngwladol yn golygu cyd-leoli cynrychiolaeth Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru a Chyrff Cyhoeddus a Noddir gan y Cynulliad a leolir dramor yn barod ac ychwanegu at agwedd Tîm Cymru i godi proffil Cymru. |
| 3 Fedrwch chi roi enghreifftiau o ddyheadau polisi lle mae naill ai led neu ddyfnder pwerau'r Cynulliad wedi bod yn gyfyngiad |
| Materion Ewropeaidd |
| Trosglwyddwyd pwerau i'r Cynulliad bob yn dipyn yn hytrach nag yn ôl maes, ac rydym wedi darganfod nad yw pwerau domestig darniog bob amser yn caniatáu i'r Cynulliad weithredu'r holl rwymedigaethau a osodwyd mewn darn o ddeddfwriaeth yr UE. Os nad yw'r pwerau domestig ar gael yna rhaid gofyn am gytundeb oddi wrth Adrannau Whitehall i ddynodi'r Cynulliad o dan Ddeddf y Cymunedau Ewropeaidd 1972. Gall hyn fod yn broses hir a chafwyd rhai anawsterau o ran cael y Gorchmynion Dynodi angenrheidiol, neu eu cael naill ai o fewn yr amser gorau, neu mewn telerau boddhaol. |
| Mewn achosion lle rydym yn gofyn am y grym i weithredu ymrwymiadau’r GE neu ddefnyddio hawliau’r GE sy’n perthyn yn agos i faterion yr ydym eisoes wedi derbyn cyfrifoldeb domestig amdanynt, bydd gan yr Adran yn Whitehall orchymyn dynodi tebyg, neu bydd yn rhaid iddo ofyn am gael un: o ganlyniad rhaid "ymestyn pwerau" drwy gyfrwng y Llywodraeth. Mae problemau yn parhau, fodd bynnag, o ran ymestyn y setliad datganoli yn y modd hwn a rhoi pwerau ‘Harri VIII’ i’r Cynulliad (sy’n digwydd yn awtomatig pan ddynodir ni o dan Adran 2(2) o Ddeddf y Cymunedau Ewropeaidd). |
| Canlyniad pellach telerau'r setliad datganoli yw'r angen mewn rhai achosion am ddeddfwriaeth ar y cyd gydag Adrannau'r DU: gall hyn gymhlethu’r broses yn sylweddol a'i gwneud yn llawer hwy, yn arbennig lle bo'n rhaid i weithdrefnau Seneddol gael eu dilyn. |
| 4 I ba raddau yr ydych chi wedi gallu hyrwyddo’r dyheadau polisi hynny drwy ddylanwadu ar San Steffan? |
| Mewn materion Ewropeaidd a chysylltiadau rhyngwladol, mae’r cysylltiadau gyda Whitehall yn adeiladol ac yn gynhyrchiol ar lefel Gweinidogaethol a lefel swyddogol, ac mae Whitehall yn gyffredinol yn gefnogol. Mae gennym berthynas waith arbennig o agos a defnyddiol gyda UKREP ym Mrwsel, sy’n gymorth mawr i’r modd yr ydym yn ymwneud â’r Comisiwn Ewropeaidd. Mae’r gallu i ddylanwadu ar Lywodraeth y DU yn dibynnu ar berthynas wleidyddol a phersonol dda – mewn llawer o Aelod-wladwriaethau gwelwn fod cynrychiolwyr y gweinyddiaethau datganoledig yn rhan o’r dirprwyaethau cenedlaethol sy’n mynychu Cyngor Ewrop (diwygio cytundebau). Mae ganddynt hefyd drefniadau cylchdredol ar gyfer cyfarfodydd Cyngor y Gweinidogion lle nad oes gan lywodraeth yr Aelod-wladwriaeth gymhwysedd mewn rhai meysydd arbennig. |
| 5 A ydych wedi gallu dylanwadu ar bolisi ar faterion heb eu datganoli sy’n berthnasol i’ch portffolio? |
| Materion Ewropeaidd |
| Y prif lwybr yw drwy’r FCO, y ceir cyswllt Gweinidogaethol rheolaidd â hi drwy JMC (Ewrop), MINECOR a chyfarfodydd dwyochrog a pheirianwaith ar lefel swyddogol i fwydo sylwadau i mewn. Mae sefydlu presenoldeb parhaol i’r Cynulliad ym Mrwsel sy’n cael ei achredu i Gynrychiolaeth Barhaol y DU yn dangos ein hymrwymiad i weithio gyda Llywodraeth y DU i ddatblygu polisi’r UE. |
| Mae Pwyllgor y Rhanbarthau yn gorff ymgynghorol o gynrychiolwyr lleol a rhanbarthol o aelod wladwriaethau’r UE, y mae’n rhaid i’r Comisiwn Ewropeaidd, Cyngor y Gweinidogion a’r Senedd Ewropeaidd ymgynghori ag ef ar faterion polisi penodol. Mae gan y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol un aelod llawn ac un dirprwy aelod. Mae Pwyllgor y Rhanbarthau yn cyfarfod yn rheolaidd i ystyried materion yr Undeb Ewropeaidd sy’n effeithio ar lywodraeth leol a rhanbarthol a’r cymunedau y maent yn eu cynrychioli. Defnyddir y sesiynau ‘llawn’ hyn yn ffurfiol i fabwysiadu adroddiadau ysgrifenedig sy’n amlinellu ymatebion y Pwyllgor i ddarn arfaethedig o ddeddfwriaeth neu ddogfen polisi. |
| Yn nhermau dylanwadu ar bolisi gan ddefnyddio sianeli anffurfiol, bu i ni ymuno â’r CPMR, er enghraifft, yn haf 2001 ac rydym yn ymchwilio i’r cyfle sydd gennym i chwarae mwy o rôl o fewn Comisiwn Ardal Iwerydd y CPMR. Fel un o aelodau mwyaf (yn nhermau poblogaeth) y gymdeithas sydd â 150 o ranbarthau yn perthyn iddi, mae hyn yn rhoi cyfle i ni ddarganfod yr hyn sy’n gyffredin rhyngom ag eraill mewn meysydd fel polisi rhanbarthol, trafnidiaeth, cysylltiadau diwylliannol, a chyfrannu ein sylwadau, heb eu priodoli y rhan amlaf, i syniadau am bolisi fel papurau CPMR am ddyfodol y cronfeydd strwythurol a chydlyniant. Mae gan CPMR fynediad da at aelodau’r Comisiwn Ewropeaidd a chredwn y gallai hwn fod yn fforwm a allai fod yn ddefnyddiol i’r Cynulliad. Yn yr un modd mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad yn aelod o Gynhadledd y Rhanbarthau gyda Grym Deddfwriaethol, grwp rhanbarthol dylanwadol o fewn Ewrop. |
| Cysylltiadau Rhyngwladol |
| O fewn ysbryd y Concordat ar Gysylltiadau Rhyngwladol ceir deialog sy’n parhau gyda FCO ac mae datblygiad polisi yn adlewyrchu hyn. Un enghraifft yw’r modd y mae FCO bellach yn annog pawb sydd mewn swydd dramor i nodi Dydd Gwyl Dewi, ac aelodau o’r corff diplomyddol tramor a leolir yn Llundain i ymweld â Chymru. Rydym yn derbyn ymweliadau yn rheolaidd gan ddiplomyddion y DU dramor i roi cyfarwyddiadau iddynt cyn iddynt ddechrau ar swyddi newydd dramor, er bod modd gwneud mwy o’r math hwn o weithgaredd. |
| 6 A oes unrhyw feysydd polisi lle rhennir cyfrifoldebau rhwng y Cynulliad a Whitehall mewn modd sydd (a) wedi gweithio’n dda neu (b) wedi arwain at broblemau ymarferol? |
| Mewn gwaith yn ymwneud â materion Ewropeaidd trosfwaol a chysylltiadau rhyngwladol, mae’n bwysig creu cysylltiadau gwaith da gyda phobl sy’n gweithio mewn swyddi cyfatebol yn Whitehall. Mae’r cysylltiadau yn gyffredinol yn dda iawn, yn ymarferol iawn ac mae gan y naill a’r llall yn gyffredinol ddiddordeb mewn ymdrin â buddiannau’r DU o safbwyntiau priodol. Mae’r cymorth a dderbyniwn o’n Llysgenadaethau dramor yn werth ei nodi yn arbennig. Mae portffolios Gweinidogion eraill wrth gwrs yn cynnwys buddiannau sylweddol yn y GE ac mae’n bosibl fod ganddynt eu sylwadau eu hunain ar y cwestiwn hwn. |
| Materion Ewropeaidd |
| Credaf fod adroddiad y Pwyllgor Dethol Seneddol ar Faterion Cymreig ar Amcan 1, a gyhoeddwyd yn gynharach eleni [HC 520], yn dangos un maes lle mae rhannu cyfrifoldebau yn gweithio’n dda. Dyfynnaf yr argymhelliad canlynol o’r Pwyllgor, ynghyd ag ymateb Llywodraeth y DU: |
| Argymhelliad y Pwyllgor Dethol: "We welcome the Secretary of State’s [for Wales’] commitment to ensuring that the National Assembly for Wales will play a significant part in formulating the Government’s position on the best policy for dealing with the current Objective 1 regions once the current programming period ends. We recommend that National Assembly Ministers should be able to make a direct contribution both prior to and during negotiations with the Commission on this issue (paragraff 43)". |
| Ymateb Llywodraeth y DU: "The Government is committed to a process of consultation, involving all the nations and regions of the UK, on the position to be adopted by the UK towards the future of the Structural Funds beyond the end of the current programming period. The Government agrees with the Select Committee that National Assembly Ministers should be able to make a direct contribution to that consultation. Discussions in Europe on this issue are still at an early stage and no Member State has yet adopted a formal position. National Assembly officials are already involved in the consultation process at the European level, for example through participation in the Commission seminars on future cohesion policy, the first of which took place in Brussels on 27-28 May. The Government envisages that National Assembly Ministers will have an important role to play in communicating the UK position to the Commission and other Member States, once this has been agreed". |
| Gwahoddwyd Gweinidogion Llywodraeth y Cynulliad eisoes i siarad ar ran y DU mewn nifer o Gynghorau Ewropeaidd. Bu’r ffaith fod swyddogion Llywodraeth y DU wedi bod yn fwy na pharod i fynychu pwyllgorau sefydlog y Cynulliad yn arwydd iach o gydweithrediad hefyd: bu i ddau swyddog o gyfarwyddiaeth polisi rhanbarthol y DTI, er enghraifft, roi cyflwyniad defnyddiol iawn i’r Pwyllgor Materion Ewropeaidd yr hydref diwethaf ynghylch y safle o ran "dyfodol polisi strwythurol a chydlyniant". Cynhaliwyd seminar yn Abertawe yn ddiweddar i ddod â’r prif randdeilaid ynghyd i drafod y mater pwysig hwn, ac i helpu i lunio cyfraniad Cymru at ymateb y DU i gynigion drafft y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd ar gyfer y polisi cydlyniant cymdeithasol ac economaidd ar ôl 2006. |
| Cysylltiadau Rhyngwladol |
| Mae’r cyfle i Gymru gael ei chynrychioli dramor gan Weinidogion o Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru a Swyddfa Cymru yn cynyddu’r cyfleoedd i godi proffil Cymru. Mae hyn yn fantais bendant cyn belled ag y bo cyfathrebu da rhwng y ddwy. |
| Michael German Hydref 2002 |
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