§ 9. Mr. Ian Bruce (South Dorset)What proportion of his working time is taken up by his duties as Secretary of State for Wales; and how he separates his responsibilities to this House and to the National Assembly. [88531]
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Alun Michael)At the present time, my key priority is to achieve the smooth transition from the previous role of the Secretary of State, as it was until 1 July, to the role of the Secretary of State following devolution on the one hand, and to the role of First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on the other hand. In both roles, I serve the interests of this House, the interests of the Assembly and the interests of the people in Wales.
§ Mr. BruceI hope the right hon. Gentleman will not take it amiss if I say that it seems extraordinary that a person can be responsible within Cabinet as Secretary of State and as First Minister, where he has a clear responsibility to the Assembly in Wales. Surely this should not continue constitutionally. Why does not the right hon. Gentleman immediately resign from at least one of those posts?
§ Mr. MichaelThat shows the hon. Gentleman's lack of understanding of the process that we must go through. Obviously, he does not understand the versatility that we are able to demonstrate on this side of the House. I have always said that I would step down as Secretary of State for Wales after weeks rather than months, but the experience to date confirms that it was wise to combine the two roles during the period of transition. That is obvious from a Welsh perspective, but not from the jaundiced point of view of the hon. Gentleman.