Commission on the Assembly’s Powers and Electoral Arrangements

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                  <p>&nbsp;</p>
                  <h1 align=center><u> <b></b></u>Commission on the Assembly&#146;s 
                    Powers and Electoral Arrangements</h1>
                  <h1 align=center>Terms of Reference</h1>
                  <p>The Welsh Assembly Government&#146;s document Putting Wales 
                    First contained a commitment to</p>
                  <p><em>establish an independent Commission into the powers and 
                    electoral arrangements of the National Assembly in order to 
                    ensure that it is able to operate in the best interests of 
                    the people of Wales. This review should investigate inter 
                    alia the extension of proportionality in the composition of 
                    the Assembly, and of the relevant competencies devolved.</em></p>
                  <p>The Commission&#146;s detailed terms of reference are as 
                    follows.</p>
                  <p><strong>Assembly powers<br>
                    <br>
                    </strong>The Commission should consider the sufficiency of 
                    the Assembly&#146;s current powers, and in particular </p>
                  <p>-&nbsp; whether the Assembly&#146;s powers are sufficiently 
                    clear to allow optimum efficiency in policy-making; </p>
                  <p>-&nbsp; whether both the breadth (ie the range of issues 
                    over which it has control) and the depth (ie the capacity 
                    to effect change within those issues) of the Assembly&#146;s 
                    powers are adequate to permit integrated and consistent policy-making 
                    on issues where there is a clear and separate Welsh agenda; 
                  </p>
                  <p>-&nbsp; whether the mechanisms for UK Government policy-making 
                    as regards Wales, and the arrangements for influence by the 
                    Assembly on these, are clear and effective, and in particular 
                    whether they correct any apparent shortcoming from the previous 
                    item; </p>
                  <p>-&nbsp; whether the division of responsibility between the 
                    Assembly and the UK Government places inappropriate constraints 
                    on Whitehall policy-making, both on matters over which the 
                    Assembly has control and otherwise. </p>
                  <p>The Commission should consider any possible financial implications 
                    arising from the implementation of its proposals.<br>
                    <br>
                    <strong>Electoral arrangements<br>
                    </strong><br>
                    The Commission should consider the adequacy of the Assembly&#146;s 
                    electoral arrangements, and in particular</p>
                  <p>-&nbsp; whether the size of the Assembly is adequate to allow 
                    it to operate effectively within a normal working week, and 
                    without placing undue pressure on Members;</p>
                  <p>-&nbsp; whether the means of electing the Assembly, including 
                    the degree of proportionality, adequately and accurately represents 
                    all significant interests in Wales</p>
                  <p>-&nbsp; whether any changes which may be recommended to the 
                    Assembly&#146;s powers make either necessary or desirable 
                    changes to the size of the Assembly or the means of electing 
                    it . </p>
                  <p><strong>Report<br>
                    </strong><br>
                    The Commission should report on its deliberations, including 
                    its recommendations on the above matters, by the end of 2003. 
                    It may make interim reports or recommendations if it sees 
                    fit.<br>
                    <br>
                    <strong>Procedural matters<br>
                    </strong><br>
                    The Commission is to be free from any influence from either 
                    the Welsh Assembly Government or the Assembly as a whole. 
                    It shall determine its own agenda and priorities within these 
                    terms of reference.<br>
                    <br>
                    The Commission may determine its own working procedures. However, 
                    it should:</p>
                  <p>invite oral and/or written evidence from any who wish to 
                    provide it;</p>
                  <p>accept such evidence in either English or Welsh;</p>
                  <p>meet in public unless those giving evidence request otherwise 
                    or unless, in exceptional circumstances, the Commission resolves 
                    to meet in private;</p>
                  <p>publish periodic accounts of its proceedings and evidence 
                    received.<br>
                    <br>
                    The Commission has no power to compel any person to give evidence 
                    or to see any documents other than those available under the 
                    Assembly&#146;s freedom of information policy or similar equivalent 
                    regimes. </p>
                  <p><strong>Secretariat<br>
                    </strong><br>
                    The Commission will be supported by a Secretariat comprising 
                    seconded Assembly civil servants. <br>
                  </p>