19 DECEMBER 1975
EMBER
813
Written Amo VINDEN
ther : bc effectively in the Assembly's own wands; but there is no requirement for the Commitice's composition to re- fiect party representation in the Assembly.
Mr. Wigley asked the Lord President of the Council if the Welsh Assembly will have the power to change the constitu- tion, terms of reference or number of iner.. ars of the nominated bodies exist- ing solely in Wales
Mr. Edward Short The Welsh Assembly will in general be given all governmental powers under existing legis- lation slecting nominated bodies operat- ing wholly in Wales on devolved mullers, If those powers would be sullicient to chunge the constitution, terms of reference or number of members, it will be up to the Assembly to decide whether or not to exercise them. In addition, the Sec- retary of State will be able by Order subject to negative resolution to provide that the Assembly itself should assume the functions of a particular nominated body operating only in Wales
Air. Wigley asked the Lord President of the Council what powers the proposed Welsh Assembly will have for mineral exploration in Wales.
use and
Mr. Edward Short: Land development, including protection of countryside amenity and landscape, are amung the subjects to be devolved as listed in Appendix D of the White Paper "Our Changing Democracy: Devolu- tion to Scotland and Wales". Further details will be set out in the draft Bill to he published in the spring.
Mr. Wigley asked the Lord President of the Council if the proposed Weish Assembly will have the right to set up new nominated bodies operating only in Wales; and, if so, in what spheres it may do so for (u) executive purpuses and (b) advisory purposes.
Mr. Edward Short: The answer to the first part of the question is Yes, as a matter of administrative machinery: and to the second, for any purpose connected with the devolved functions.
Mr. Wigley asked the Lord President of the Council if the Welsh Assembly will have the power to issue the equivalent of Orders-in-Council in matters which are
Written Auswers
814
of concern to the Assembly but over which no executive responsibility has been devolved.
Mir. Edward Short: No.
Mr. Wigley asked the Lord President of the Council what powers the proposed Welsh Assembly will have to intervene in the case of factory closures scale redundancies in Wales.
largo
i
Our
Mr. Edward Skørt i None of a formal kind But the White Paper Changing Denneracy: DevolutionNI Scotland and Wales
to
stresses the impor·
tance of continuing close contacts and elicisive consultation between the Gov- ernment and the Welsh Assembly on matters of common concern, which must obviously include the kind of matters mentioned by the hon. Gentleman.
Mr. Wigley asked the Lord President of the Council what powers the proposed Welsh Assembly will have to intervene to prevent closures of stations, radway line or passenger or freight railway services in Wales.
Mr. Edward Short: The Assembly will have a power similar to that of local authorities to subsidise railway passenger services. This will enable it to influence the pattern of railway services in Wales.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
· Staff Bar
Mr. Golding asked the Lord President of the Council if he will take steps to purchase additional drinking glasses for use in the House of Commons Siał Bar.
Mr. Duan : I have been asked to reply. No. Adequate supplies are available upon request.
DEFENCE
Hong Kong
Mr. Whitlock asked the Secretary of State for Detence when he expects to be able to announce a new defence costs agreement with Hong Kong.
Mr. William Rodgers: The House was informed in the Statement on the Deicace Esumates-Cmad. 5976-in March of
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