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Richard Commission
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The Powers of the National Assembly for Wales
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Issues and questions for consultation for evidence
session, Hilton Hotel, Newport 22nd May 12
– 1.30pm
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WWNC’s Response
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WWNC is an umbrella group for women’s
organisations (and organisations consisting mainly of
women) in Wales. It has a large and diverse membership
of over half a million women including, for example,
the National Federation of Women’s Institutes in
Wales, Mewn Cymru and the Royal College of Nursing.
The membership has taken as its three key themes :-
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WWNC is particularly pleased to respond
to the Richard Commission at a time when a world record
has been set and the Welsh Assembly is the first legislative
body with equal members of men and women.
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1. The Commission’s approach
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In what practical ways do the powers
of the Assembly, or the limits on its powers, impinge
on you, your organisation or the people whom you serve
and what are the best examples of this from your point
of view?
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WWNC is funded by the Promoting Equality
Grant of the Wales Assembly Government, currently until
June 2004. The powers of the Assembly impinge on it
both as an umbrella group and in relation to issues
specific to member organisations.
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WWNC as an umbrella organisation
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- Some lack of clarity as to whether equality is
a totally devolved issue. S 120(1) of the Government
of Wales Act refers to ‘the Assembly shall make
appropriate arrangements with a view to ensuring that
its functions are exercised with due regard
to the principle that there should be equality of
opportunity for all’. This is an historic clause
but the responsibility for primary legislation remains
with Westminster. In practice, the Assembly has trailblazed
many equality initiatives but there are concerns,
amongst some groups that having ‘due regard’
to equality is not as powerful a tool as ‘promoting’
equality.
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- Some confusions over the role and themes of the
Women and Equality Unit and the all-UK funded Women’s
National Commission
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For members
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| The lack of legislation specific to Wales, -
or an understanding of the Welsh dimension affects eg. |
- Long term care for older people
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- The possible closure of post offices as a result
of changes in Benefits Agency payment arrangements
and the problems of the Post Office Card Account
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2. Powers of the National Assembly
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Does the Government of Wales Act
provide the Assembly with the powers it needs to operate
effectively and meet the expectations of the people
of Wales?
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whether, and if so how, the powers
should be extended, strengthened or changed and whether
they should include tax varying powers
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The low turn out at the May 2003 Assembly
elections is, perhaps, an indication that the Assembly
does not excite all the people of Wales, leave alone
the women. WWNC believes that there should be an evolutionary
process whereby further legislative powers should be
taken by Wales. Specifically Welsh expectations need
responses that take account of the UK context, but meet
the concerns of Wales. Possible tax raising powers should
be part of this evolutionary process.
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3. Structure –
Working Arrangements of the National Assembly
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If the Assembly were to acquire
greater law making powers – is it inevitable that
it would need to be reconstituted on the Parliamentary
model?
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If so what organisational changes
would be needed to support this model and what would
be the gains and losses from making this change?
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| The Assembly has already moved from the local government/corporate
model with the creation in 2001 of the "Welsh Assembly
Government" and the Presiding Office. The pros and cons
of moving further towards or away from the Westminster
Parliamentary model need to be clearly stated and debated
by Wales at large, to ensure that the final model is not
just something that ‘emerges’ from the bowels
of the existing Assembly Government. It is probably safe
to say that most women in Wales are not aware of the current
structures and do not see them as being relevant to their
lives. |
| 4. The relationship between the Assembly in Cardiff
and the Parliament at Westminster |
| Wales seems to have been singularly unsuccessful in
getting Wales-only bills (e.g. the NHS Wales Bill) and
to have made its policy decisions negatively – eg.
No foundation hospitals in Wales. |
| WWNC thinks that there should be a law making process,
which allows Wales to make its own laws, where there are
issues specific to Wales, but continue to work with Westminster
where a cross-UK approach is relevant. |
| The advent of primary legislative powers would produce
a need for an enhanced scrutiny process. In other words,
more AM’s and fewer MP’s – possibly regionally
based, as are MEP’s. |
| The current Labour/Labour configuration will not always
be the case and there will be a continuing need for representation
at Westminster, particularly if devolution to the English
regions is pursued. |
| 5. The Role of the UK Government and the Secretary
of State for Wales |
| WWNC thinks there is a need for continuing role for
the Secretary of State, even given an increase in primary
legislative powers. Wales needs as many voices at Westminster
as possible. |
| 6. Relations between the Assembly and Whitehall |
| There is already separation between England and Wales
in policy development and implementation. WWNC believes
that this should accelerate and is part of the development
of a Welsh identity. |
| 7. The financial context |
| WWNC has no specific response to these questions. |
| Final comment |
| WWNC works with its partner organisations – Stonewall
Cymru, Disability Wales and the All-Wales Ethnic Minority
Association. It believes that any constitutional arrangements
for Wales should recognise these existing "equality strands";
the emerging focus on religion and age, and the paramount
importance of the Welsh Language. |
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