MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS ABOUT ASSEMBLY

HC Deb 26 March 1998 vol 309 cc751-3

Amendment made: No. 113, in page 92, line 21, leave out from 'paragraph' to end of line 26 and insert

'2(2) (excluded departmental records), at the end insert "or (e) to Welsh public records (as defined in the Government of Wales Act 1998).

(3) In Part I of the Table at the end of paragraph 3 (boards and establishments under government departments)—

1. (a) at the end of the entry relating to National Health Service Authorities insert "and Authorities for districts or localities in Wales, or for areas in or consisting of Wales (including National Health Service trusts all of whose hospitals, establishments and facilities are situated in Wales)",
752
2. (b) at the end of the entry relating to Family Practitioner Committees insert "for localities in England", and
3. (c) in the entry relating to health service hospitals, after "1977" insert ", in England".

(4) In paragraph 5 (Chancery records), after "England" insert ", other than any which are Welsh public records (as defined in the Government of Wales Act 1998),".

(5) In Paragraph 6 (records in Public Record Office), at the end (but not as part of paragraph (c)) insert— other than any which are Welsh public records (as defined in the Government of Wales Act 1998).

(6) In paragraph 7 (1) (power to add further categories of records), after "provisions of this Schedule" insert "and not being Welsh public records (as defined in the Government of Wales Act 1998)".'—[Mr. Jon Owen Jones.]

Mr. Llwyd

I beg to move amendment No. 182, in page 92, line 32, at end insert— 'The Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (c.80) In section 1 to the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (bank holidays), after the end of subsection (5) insert— (5A) Subject to subsection (5B), the powers conferred on Her Majesty by subsections (2) and (3) above may, as respects Wales, be exercised by the National Assembly for Wales ('the Assembly'). (5B) A proclamation by the Assembly in reliance on its powers under subsection (5A) shall be made by order. (5C). Section 66 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (disapplication of procedural requirements) shall not apply to an order under subsection (5B).".'.

As well as the name of my right hon. Friend the Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley), the amendment is tabled in the names of the hon. Members for Wrexham (Dr. Marek), for Brecon and Radnorshire (Mr. Livsey) and for Montgomeryshire (Mr. Öpik). Even for those of us who do not have an intimate knowledge of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971—we are few, I appreciate that—this is simply an amendment to enable the national assembly to declare a bank holiday when it decides to do so.

I have in mind a campaign that was run successfully about two years ago by—this is for Hansard—pupils of the ysgol y Morlwyn, Blaenau Ffestiniog, in the constituency of Meirionnydd Nant Conwy. They brought to the previous Government's attention—extremely effectively, although the then Minister could not give in at the time—a persuasive argument.

I shall be brief, because I know that others wish to support this excellent amendment. I submit it seriously because I think that it is right and appropriate that a national assembly should have the power of decision over such matters. We are in some circumstances celebrating various feasts in Wales that are entirely irrelevant to us as Welsh people. St. David's day, for example, should be a bank holiday, among others.

Mr. Evans

I can imagine why the people of Wales would like to have a bank holiday on St. David's day. Does the hon. Gentleman envisage the assembly saying—he talked about bank holidays that are irrelevant to the people of Wales—that it would replace 1 May with 1 March as a bank holiday?

Mr. Llwyd

That is a ticklish question. I do not know the answer. It is up to the national assembly, in any event. I will not prejudge what that august body will do in due course.

I have dealt with the purpose of the amendment. I hope that it gains some support. I also hope sincerely that the Minister will be able to give me an assurance in due course.

Mr. Paul Flynn (Newport, West)

I warmly support the amendment. Two years ago, Wales, on one of the rare occasions in its history, spoke unanimously with one voice, and councils representing the entire Welsh population said that they wished to have St. David's day as a national holiday, for the very good reason that St. David's day has been celebrated in every corner of Wales as a major event for many years now.

I remember being shocked by an entirely untrue story told by a famous broadcaster, whom I shall not name, who attended the same school as I did where we celebrated many saints, including St. Patrick. He claimed that St. David's day was an important event because that was the day when we made our preparations for celebrating St. Patrick's day three weeks later. That was grotesquely untrue. St. Patrick's day was an entirely religious affair and St. David's day was the day when we had fun, dressed up in the morning and had plays and pageants, and the great pleasure in the afternoon of a half day off. St. David's day is recognised in Wales—

It being Eight o'clock, MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order [15 January] and the Resolution [25 March], put forthwith the Question already proposed from the Chair.

Amendment negatived.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER then proceeded to put forthwith the Questions necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded at that hour.

Amendments made: No. 114, in page 93, line 14, leave out 'In section 163 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988' and insert 'The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 has effect subject to the following amendments. . In section 49 (copying of public records not to constitute infringement of copyright), after "1923" insert ", or in Welsh public records (as defined in the Government of Wales Act 1998),". . In section 163'.

No. 181, in page 93, line 18, leave out 'or of a committee of the Assembly or' and insert 'including proceedings of a committee of the Assembly or of'.

No. 115, in page 93, line 22, at end insert— '. In paragraph 10(1) of Schedule 2 (copying of public records not to constitute infringement of rights in performances), after "1923" insert ", or in Welsh public records (as defined in the Government of Wales Act 1998),".'—[Mr. Jon Owen Jones.]