§ 6. Mr. Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock)What discussions he has had with other Ministers on the appropriate response to be made to representations from Members of the Welsh Assembly on matters for which the Assembly has no responsibility. [94080]
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Paul Murphy)Under section 33 of the Government of Wales Act 1998, the Assembly may consider and make representations on any matter affecting Wales. That 1008 covers a very large number of matters for which the Assembly has no responsibility. Such representations will be fully considered.
§ Mr. MackinlayMay we have an assurance that, in dealing with central Government, matters that are the competence of Members of the House of Commons—such as immigration and asylum—will be jealously guarded as matters exclusively for Members of the House of Commons, and not for Members of the Welsh Assembly?
§ Mr. MurphyObviously, the House of Commons will guard its rights very jealously, and Madam Speaker will ensure that that is the case. However, I tell my hon. Friend that the whole purpose of devolution is to create a partnership between the United Kingdom Government and Parliament and the Assembly. By working together, we shall be able to ensure that the people of Wales will benefit from both.